The U.S. House is expected to vote this week on S. 5, which would use federal tax dollars to destroy human embryos for stem-cell research. President Bush has promised a veto, an announcement that drew praise from pro-life groups. In April, the Senate passed the bill, 63-34; 67 votes were needed to override a veto.
Supporters of S. 5 continue to argue that embryonic stem cells hold the most promise for medical breakthroughs and cures.
"It's unfortunate that members of Congress are willing to fund the destruction of innocent human life," said Dawn Vargo, associate bioethics analyst for Focus on the Family Action.
"Destructive embryonic stem-cell research has yet to provide a single treatment for patients. Adult stem cells, on the other hand, continue to provide treatments and cures for a wide variety of debilitating diseases — including cancer, anemia, arthritis, diabetes and heart disease."
Ashley Horne, federal issues analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said the debate was over a long time ago.
"The resurrection of S. 5 is a political maneuver by the Democrats to draw attention to a dead issue," she said. "Adult stem cells trump embryonic stem cells every time. The president vetoed this bill once. He’ll do it again. Democrats need to move on.”
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, called it "political theater."
"In an effort to pre-emptively rebuke the president's veto," he said in a statement, "Speaker Nancy Pelosi is using the vote as a public relations stunt to showcase Congress' approval for the research."
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(Paid for by Focus on the Family Action)
