[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 153 (Monday, November 29, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S8209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH

  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I had spoken about this when we 
reconvened several weeks ago, that it is my hope that Congress, the 
Senate specifically, will take up legislation which I have introduced 
which would authorize the use of Federal funding for embryonic stem 
cell research. Embryonic stem cell research holds enormous potential. 
You take the embryos which are the most flexible of all of the stem 
cells and they can replace diseased parts of the body and they offer 
promise of a veritable fountain of youth.
  The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia said the 
Executive order issued by President Obama was invalid. But Congress has 
the authority to legislate to cure any defect. The case is on appeal to 
the circuit court, and a stay has been issued. But the scientists are 
very apprehensive, as they testified before the Labor, Health and Human 
Services Subcommittee. There are some 200 projects with some $200 
million involved.
  It is not a constitutional matter. It is a matter of statutory 
interpretation on the existing statute. But to the extent there is any 
ambiguity, this is something which we ought to address and we ought to 
address promptly because it is a life-and-death matter. As long as the 
litigation is pending in the Federal court, the scientists do not know 
which way to turn. So they have made their point very clear.
  The case could go on for a very protracted period of time when you 
have to file briefs, have argument, and a decision in the Court of 
Appeals for the District of Columbia. Then a possible petition for 
certiorari could take a matter of years. With the ideological issues 
involved, who knows what the final outcome would be in the judicial 
system. But that can all be put to rest by legislation.

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