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Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Johnson voted to give hope to 100 million Americans by greatly expanding scientists’ access to embryonic stem cell lines – when she voted for S. 5, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.
The House passed this critical bill this afternoon by a strong bipartisan vote of 247 to 176.
The House had passed a similar bill (H.R. 3) as part of the “100 Hours Agenda” in January. The Senate then passed S. 5 in April. By passing the Senate-passed S. 5 today, the House is sending the bill directly to the President’s desk.
“Today Members of Congress, from both sides of the aisle, joined together and put patients first by passing this stem cell research enhancement bill,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “The American people spoke clearly this past November supporting the promise of embryonic stem cell research and it is fitting that Congress now send this bill to the President’s desk.”
This bill would expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research by lifting the restrictions on the numbers of embryonic stem cell lines that can be used. These restrictions were imposed by President Bush in 2001. Most of the stem cell lines authorized for federally-funded research under the President’s policy are no longer useful for research. However, the bill only authorizes federal research funds for stem cell lines generated from embryos that would otherwise be discarded by fertility clinics. The bill also creates an ethical framework that must be followed in conducting this research under the guidance of the National Institutes of Health.
The bill is supported by more than 500 organizations, including the American Medical Association, AARP, Association of American Medical Colleges, and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, as well as many faith-based groups.
“More than 100 million Americans suffer from cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and other debilitating diseases and disorders for which embryonic stem cell research holds great promise in finding new and better treatments and cures,” said Congresswoman Johnson.
“The American people clearly support research funding and the use of embryonic stem cells to address some of our most debilitating diseases,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “It is time this groundbreaking research is allowed to move forward.”
This stem cell research bill passed the Congress in the 109th Congress, but unfortunately was vetoed by President Bush in July 2006.
“This research has the support of more than 70 percent of Americans and I hope that, this year, the President will reconsider his veto threat and listen to the voices of the American people by signing this bill,” concluded Congresswoman Johnson. “A bipartisan majority in the House will continue to fight to expand this life- saving research. This critical legislation will become law; it’s only a matter of when.”
U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District, which includes downtown Dallas, Northeast, East Oak Cliff & Pleasant Grove; all of Balch Springs, De Soto, Lancaster & Hutchins and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Glen Heights, Wilmer and Ovilla.
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