Senate leader predicts stem cell vote within month

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said on Wednesday he hoped to have a vote within a month on the controversial issue of expanding federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

Despite President Bush's veto threat, the House last month easily approved legislation to expand federal funding for stem cell research using excess embryos from fertility clinics. Senate backers of the bill say they have a solid bipartisan majority and want a vote soon in the Senate.

Frist, a physician, said he agrees with Bush's 2001 limitations on the research but also said, "It is time, with advancing science, that we review where we are, review not just the president's policy, but where is science today."

Frist said he would not promote research that "crosses certain ethical guidelines."

Frist has not announced a timetable for a vote but said on Wednesday that he anticipates action either in committee or in the full Senate within about a month. He did not specify whether the Senate's starting point would be the House bill or less controversial alternatives that do not use embryos.
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more http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050615/pl_nm/congress_stemcells_dc/nc:1278;_

[clydefrand]

1. So Frist is back pedaling on stem cell research. Hmmmm?

Getting ready to run for the big one in '08? Sounds that way to me.

[maddezmom]

3. that's what I'm thinking...leaving a bit of wiggle room

either way, * will veto so Frist can look like he's more to the center if he decides to run.

[merwin]

2. The ultimate flip flops

[rurallib]

4. Is that popping sound Frist removing his lips

from Dobson's ass?
Maybe since he blew his wad with Dobson (to be Dobson's president) on the nukular option, he figures he can maybe do some things that are right for the country instead?