They may have a "D" behind their names instead of an "R", but Rep. Joe Donnelly (D) and Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D) begin their congressional careers firmly in the Right to Life camp. Both freshmen Democratic lawmakers voted against one of their party's first initiatives--to permit federal research using embryonic stem cells. The two were among just 16 Democrats voting against the measure. Anti-abortion extremists have so far succeeded in blocking federal reseach dollars being used to experiment with stem cells derived from aborted fetuses. Even many prominent Republicans have bucked the Right to Life crowd and chosen the possibilities for medical advancements from such research over the divisive, ideological position of hard-liners.
The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act passed the House today on a vote of 253-174. Thirty-seven Republicans crossed party lines and supported the Democratic-sponsored measure, providing the votes needed for its passage. If the GOP had voted in lock step against the bill, it would have failed without the support of those 16 Democrats. Of course, Indiana's GOP delegation lined up firmly against the bill. Rep. Steve Buyer was absent for this vote as well due to his recent knee surgery.
2 comments:
Steve Buyer had the worst absentee record of the Hoosier Congressional Delegation last year ... looks like he's getting off on the wrong foot again this year ...
For the record, stem cells they want to block from research aren't just from aborted fetuses. A main source are embryos created by couples doing in vitro fertilization-- they create many more embryos than are used. The remainder are ultimately discarded, when they could be used for research. Oddly, you don't see many Right to Lifers or conservatives otherwise protesting in vitro fertilization, but in fact the process creates thousands of embryos that will then be destroyed. (yes, there are limited examples of "donated" embryos being born by unrelated couples, but almost no couples doing in vitro want to do this, or do. Who wants to imagine a genetic child of theirs "out there")
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