The House later this week plans to vote on a measure (HR 3, S 5) -- called the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 -- that would expand federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research, CQ HealthBeat reports (Reichard/Wayne, CQ HealthBeat, 1/8).
Federal funding for embryonic stem cell research is allowed only for research using embryonic stem cell lines created on or before Aug. 9, 2001, under a policy announced by President Bush on that date. Bush in July 2006 vetoed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 (HR 810), which would have expanded stem cell lines that are eligible for federal funding and allowed funding for research using stem cells derived from embryos originally created for fertility treatments and willingly donated by patients (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 1/4). The House and Senate versions of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 are the same as the bill Bush vetoed, Reuters reports (Fox, Reuters, 1/8). The Senate is expected to consider the legislation in a few weeks. According to the AP/ABC News, Bush is "all but certain" to veto the measure again if it is passed by Congress (Kellman, AP/ABC News, 1/9). "I think we may be close to or at an ability to override the veto in the Senate," Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), sponsor of the legislation, said (Reuters, 1/8).