Gov. Doyle: Statement Regarding the One Year Anniversary of the Passage of Stem Cell Research Legislation by the U.S. House of Representatives

Contact: Anne Lupardus, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the bipartisan passage of legislation that would overturn President Bush’s limits on the use of federal funding for embryonic stem cell research in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist has yet to follow through on a promise to schedule a vote on the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (HR 810) in the U.S. Senate.

Governor Doyle made the following statement:

“One year ago, a group of republican legislators in the U.S. House of Representatives had the courage to buck President Bush and join with democrats to pass legislation to allow for the use of federal funds for stem cell research.

“Today marks one year of inaction by the U.S. Senate on this legislation.  Sadly, the Senate’s inaction has delayed critical research that would move us closer to cures for life-threatening and debilitating diseases.

“Stem cell research has the potential for finding cures for some of the oldest and deadliest diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, kidney disease, and multiple sclerosis.

“The Senate must step up and allow for a vote on this important measure so we can offer families and people whose lives are affected by these terrible diseases hope for a better, healthier future.

“I urge the Senate to follow the lead of the House, do what Americans know is the right thing to do, and pass the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.”