Virginia Republicans Vote Against Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act

By: Lowell
Published On: 6/7/2007 3:57:56 PM

Today, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (S. 5) passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a 247-176 margin.  A total of 210 Democrats and 37 Republicans voted "yes."  These included all three Democrats from Virginia - Jim Moran, Bobby Scott, and Rick Boucher - plus Republican Tom Davis.

Virginians voting "no" were supposed "moderate" (yeah, right!) Frank Wolf, plus the other usual right-wing suspects (Goodlatte, Goode, Jo Ann Davis, Thelma Drake, and Randy Forbes).  Eric "Abramoff" Cantor didn't vote.

Just a bit of background on this bill.  First, it would add to the number of embryonic stem cell lines that are eligible for federally funded research. The bill requires that any embryonic cells used for research must come from embryos that would otherwise be discarded.

Second, expanding stem cell research is supported by an overwhelming 72% of Americans, with only 24% opposed.  In other words, this is overwhelmingly supported (3:1) by the American people.

Third, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act is backed by more than 500 organizations, including the American Medical Association, AARP, the Association of American Medical Colleges, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, as well as many faith-based groups.

Finally, this bill passed the Congress last year, but was vetoed by President Bush in July 2006.

In sum, this is an important bill that would help cure terrible diseases like Juvenile Diabetes, Parkinsons, Alzheimers, and many others.  It would use stem cells from blastocysts that would be discarded anyway.  And it's overwhelmingly supported by the American people.  But it is NOT supported by right-wing Republicans, or by Republicans, like Frank Wolf, who CALL themselves moderate but in reality are anything but that. 

All of which raises another issue; why is the media constantly allowing the Frank Wolfs of the world to claim that they are moderate, when they most obviously are not?  Why does it take the blogs to call them out on this?  Hint to media: use Project Vote Smart, it's free, easy, and incredibly informative!

Comments



cantor (AmerIdiot - 6/7/2007 5:06:48 PM)
I like the "Abramoff" middle name for Cantor.  "Delay's Boy" would work as well.

Wonder if he was hiding from this vote.  He saw Webb's numbers in Henrico County and knows how many Baby Boomers live there. He knows that most people support this research.

The wingnut ratio in Henrico goes down every year.

Lowell, its time to organize and defeat this guy in 08.  He is part of the cabal of crooks and liars who have gotten our country and the world into the mess we are in today.

Also, lets remember like most reptiles, George Allen will slide out from under his rock in a few months if he feels any sunshine.

"Buy shiny stuff, worship celebrity, and leave the driving to dick and bush"



Cantoresque (J.Scott - 6/7/2007 9:14:57 PM)
While I do not think Eric Cantor's blog has anyhting up yet in his defense of his vote, mind you he has missed 34 since the beginning of the year, but maybe he'll defend himself. Lowell as for your numbers, 72% of people may support stem cell reasearch indeed, but when you ask them, and I do not think anyone has, if it should be federally funded research you may get a different answer. You can't make the leap from the polling numbers of 72% to the legislation and assume its the case, often its not. To support this, look at abortion. While many people I know are indeed pro-life they absolutley do not believe it is the federal governements resonsibility to fund this endeavor in anyway. So to with stem cell research.Just a thought.