[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 991]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1615
               IN SUPPORT OF EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Welch of Vermont). Under a previous 
order of the House, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Carnahan) is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, today was a remarkable day in this new 
110th Congress. This House in a bipartisan way came together, under the 
leadership of Congresswoman Diana DeGette of Colorado and Michael 
Castle of Delaware, to pass a bipartisan measure with a strong vote, 
253-174, a bill that would expand the stem cell research in this 
country and lead to great cures, cures which promise to help people 
turn around their lives, people that have suffered through debilitating 
and life-threatening diseases.
  Stem cell research holds the promise to help those who suffer from 
heart disease, various cancers, diabetes, Alzheimer's, kidney disease, 
liver disease, Parkinson's, to name a few.
  Breakthroughs in research are happening every day. But with the bill 
passed today in this new Congress, even more can be done to provide 
hope and lifesaving cures to the millions of Americans affected by 
these diseases.
  While there are ethical issued surrounding medical research of any 
kind, I do not believe that we should unreasonably restrict new medical 
research and prevent Americans from receiving lifesaving treatments. 
President Bush's current restrictions are unreasonable and arbitrary.
  I believe it is imperative that legislation concerning stem cell 
research contain strong ethical standards over the conduct of research, 
and the bill passed today provides such high standards.
  Many people have asked me about my best day during my first term in 
the 109th Congress that just concluded. I can say, without question, 
the day was May 24, 2005, because it was a day that gave the best hope 
for lifesaving cures for so many. Those hopes were, unfortunately, 
dashed when President Bush vetoed the bill, H.R. 810 in the last 
Congress.
  We have come together again, passed this bill with an even stronger 
bipartisan vote, and I expect it will go to the Senate and pass there 
again with another strong bipartisan vote. And I would urge the 
President to reconsider his position. So many people's lives, the 
quality of lives for their families depend on this research continuing.
  This bill, as I said, contained detailed ethical standards on this 
type of research, and that is an important part of this legislation 
going forward. This issue has united Americans and actually united this 
Congress in powerful ways and with a strong voice.
  My home State of Missouri has taken a lead in this debate. Expanding 
stem cell research is supported by 72 percent of Americans from across 
the political spectrum, and that goes for my home State of Missouri. 
This past November, Missourians came out to the polls in record numbers 
in support of stem cell research that holds the potential for 
lifesaving cures. Our State passed a ballot initiative that ensures 
Missourians will have access to any stem cell research and cures that 
are allowed under Federal law and available to other Americans. And it 
also included strong ethical standards for conducting that research.
  Acting in response to the countless Americans who want a new 
direction in this new Congress, we have begun to respond. Today, the 
people's House actually acted on behalf of the American people and 
generations to come. Members from both sides of the aisle came together 
in support of the pursuit of lifesaving cures and passed H.R. 3, the 
Stem Cell Research Act.
  It is my strong hope that the message of hope sent by both the 
American people and their Representatives will be heard by President 
Bush. By signing this vital legislation now into law, the President can 
provide the hope of potential lifesaving cures to millions of 
Americans.

                          ____________________