With U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette at his side, President Obama today overturned George W. Bush's executive order effectively banning Federal support for stem cell research, fulfilling another campaign promise. (President's remarks.) In a press release, DeGette praised Obama's policy:
This Executive Order is long overdue and will finally bring hope to millions of patients and their families. For over eight years, progress on embryonic stem cell research has been stymied due to stubborn politicians who put politics above science.
Obama called on Congress to increase funding and legislatively support stem cell science, not all that long after his predecessor vetoed legislation carried by DeGette that would do just that. The Washington Post on the implications of Obama's policy change:
Obama's executive order will allow thousands of scientists to study hundreds of lines of cells that have been developed since Bush put the limitations in place. It will also allow them to dismantle cumbersome bureaucracies constructed to work around the constraints and let them exchange scientific ideas more easily.
Because stem cells obtained from very early embryos are believed to be capable of morphing into any tissue in the body, scientists think that they will yield fundamental insights into the underlying causes of many diseases and that they could be used to repair damage caused by diabetes, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries and other conditions.
Obama also signed a document re-affirming his campaign commitment to support the scientific process over ideology and political expediency.
I am also signing a Presidential Memorandum directing the head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a strategy for restoring scientific integrity to government decision making. To ensure that in this new Administration, we base our public policies on the soundest science; that we appoint scientific advisors based on their credentials and experience, not their politics or ideology; and that we are open and honest with the American people about the science behind our decisions.
For decades, our country's scientific establishment has been peerless, and centrally responsible for America's predominant strength and economic vitality. In a powerful moment today, we see we once again have a president who understands that.
CONGRESSWOMAN DIANA DEGETTE WILL BE LIVE ON SQUARESTATE.NET Tomorrow at 2:00 Mountain Time, Rep. DeGette will be here live to answer questions from the community. Please Join us tomorrow, or just post your questions for her here!
Ways and Means raises the money and Appropriations spends it. Those are the two committees in the US House of Representatives that a real power broker wants to join. If the big pile of money that is our federal government is the hill where you want to be king, then you should know that "Tax and Spend" is not just a slur from an attack ad. It is the Alpha and Omega of public policy. If you can't raise and spend the funds to make it happen, then nothing happens.
That isn't how it should be. The Constitution itself set the foundation for a committee that regulates a huge stretch of legislative landscape covered by the "commerce clause." Anything at all related to interstate commerce flows through the Commerce Committee. Telephones, marriage, highways... when the Feds want to raise penalties for dealing drugs on school property they find justification in the commerce clause. It is a sweeping mandate, and it includes one of the signature issues of the next decade; our national health care policy. The people who are serious about policy try for the Commerce Committee.
If things ever happen in Washington, that is where the action will be. Right now, with a President headed in the wrong direction prodded along by extremist religious groups, with a slim Democratic majority in Congress where every vote matters, and with a legislative body made up by lawyers driven by politics rather than scientists driven by reason, only incremental changes are possible.
How important is the Executive Branch? Even if a Democratic President were capable of nothing else, he could staff the EPA, the FDA (and its parent, the DHHS), and all the other guardians of scientific policy with actual scientists. Right now those chairs are held by a cabal bent on eliminating fact based policy with what their ideology has them convinced should be true - despite all refuting evidence.
Someday, perhaps very soon, those levers of power will be in the hands of people working in the service of sanity. The last of the dead-enders will be sent home, and in their place will be people, if no less politically self-serving, at least rational enough to realize that sane policy is smart politics. The vast majority of America is ready for something better.
Rep. Diana DeGette held a media round table today to highlight Democratic accomplishments from the past session and to answer questions about the year ahead.
"For a do-nothing-Congress, I don't know why I am so tired."
Recounting legislative accomplishments on college loan programs, an expanded minimum wage and lobby reform, the Representative underlined the record number of House votes and a wide range of measures that her chamber passed along to the Senate only to see them languish without the sixty votes needed for cloture.
She acknowledged the frustration of those who had hoped that the narrow Democratic majority would bring a speedy end to the war, and pointed to the "firm stand in the House," that Speaker Pelosi had taken to offer no Iraq war funding without benchmarks and time tables, on a bill which is now stalled in the Capitol building's northern wing.
When asked why Congress needed sixty votes to shape policy when the Democratic majority could just refuse to send any unacceptable legislation at all, DeGette discounted that option.
"We don't want to be seen in any way as cutting off funding for the troops."
She said that our soldiers had been working hard under difficult conditions and had been under equipped and under funded. She wanted to ensure that nothing done by Congress would cause the troops to suffer, and so the option of completely denying funds would not be part of negotiations.
We all know that Stem-Cell Research is Controversial. Yet I find it interesting that Bush and the conservatives would allow many of these discarded embryos (and the potential opportunity to cure some of our worst diseases) go to complete waste. These "Compassionate Conservatives" don't care about health care, or that 47 million people are without insurance. And they don't care about finding cures through the advancement of medical science. In many ways, this is personal to all of us, though not in the same way it is personal to the Congressman.
With a stunning and simply massive 63-vote majority, the US Senate today again endorsed Federal support for stem cell research, even in the face of a veto threat from President Bush.
Colorado's Diana DeGette's legislation is again at the forefront of American politics, as even a reactionary like Orrin Hatch took to the floor of the Senate to support stem cell research:
As a science, embryonic stem cell research today is where the space program was when we first dreamed of it. When I think of embryonic stem cell research, I imagine diabetics without insulin pumps. I dream of patients with Parkinson's Disease who sprint rather than shuffle. I conceive of patients with spinal cord injury who stand up and walk again.
My hope is that Hatch's stance will help dispel the fallacy that DeGette's ethically-balanced bill should be a prop in abortion politics, or that stem cell research ought to be subordinated to that poisoned well of American politics.
Our own Senator Ken Salazar voted in favor of the bill. Dan Whipple relays Salazar's comments on a conference call:
Over one million Americans suffer from Parkinson's disease, four-and-a-half million Americans and one-in-eight over the age of 65 suffer from Alzheimer's, 17 million Americans suffer from diabetes, and 64 million Americans suffer from one or more forms of heart disease.
Stem cell research, from all that the scientific community tells us, holds great promise as the gateway to breakthroughs against these and other debilitating diseases.
Wayne Allard opposed it. In the House, of course, Marilyn Musgrave has long been on record voting against stem cell research. (Let's not forget her immortal rant about the little snowflake children in 2005.)
As a battleground state, the stem cell controversy is showing both the best and worst our state has to offer, and on an important national issue that affects all Americans in one way or another. It is a reminder of how much Colorado Democrats have achieved, as well as a reminder of a lot of work yet to be done...especially some unfinished business in a couple of our congressional districts. Kudos again to Congresswoman DeGette and Senator Salazar for their leadership on an important national issue.
It's time for President Bush to demonstrate real leadership, real compassionate conservatism, and the real courage to put science and ethics over politics and radical ideology. It's time for him to do the right thing for millions of suffering Americans, to put politics aside and sign this bill.
[Read a 2004 PBS NewsHour interview with Rep. DeGette on stem cell legislation here.]
A press release from Colorado CD1 representative Diana DeGette states that today "Democratic Members of the 110th Congress' Freshmen class will join the lead sponsor of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R.3), Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) to discuss their support for the bill. Many of these new Members campaigned on expanding stem cell research and have signed on as original cosponsors to the bill."
President George W. Bush used the only veto of his administration to dismiss DeGette's first attempt at the legislation.
Recently, some have tried to portray the work of Dr. Anthony Atala of Wake Forest University as a way to render embryonic stem cell research unnecessary. From CNN:
Stem cell researchers reacted with enthusiasm and reservations to a report that scientists have found stem cells in amniotic fluid, a discovery that would allow them to sidestep the controversy over destroying embryos for research. Researchers at Wake Forest University and Harvard University reported Sunday that the stem cells they drew from amniotic fluid donated by pregnant women hold much the same promise as embryonic stem cells.
But yesterday Atala blasted that assertion in a letter, which was provided to me by DeGette's office. Atala wrote:
"I understand that some may be interpreting my research as a substitute for the need to pursue other forms of regenerative medicine therapies, such as those involving embryonic stem cells. I disagree with that assertion... It is essential that National Institute of Health-funded researchers are able to fully pursue embryonic stem cell research as a complement to research into other forms of stem cells.
The right has a long history of twisting science to meet its own ends. (Remember The Competitive Enterprise Institute?) It appears that neither DeGette or the newly elected Congress is going to let partisan politics stand in the way of research that may save millions of lives.
Dems in Congress plan to put the only bill President Bush has vetoed back on his desk in January. The bill to expand funding for embryonic stem cell research was co-authored by Colorado Rep. Diana DeGette. The bill passed both houses during the last session of Congress, but proponents couldn't gather enough support to override Bush's veto.
"The election did show that there's a mandate to expand embryonic stem cell research," DeGette said in an interview with the Associated Press.
"The main thing that has changed is that public awareness has increased so much. The public realizes the potential benefits, and what that does is puts tremendous pressure on the White House."
It's unclear whether Dems can round up enough votes to override another Bush veto, but hopes rest on newly elected legislators.
Obviously we mostly cover Colorado politics here. We sometimes delve into the silly, and every so often there's something so grabbing, so powerful, that despite it having little to do with Colorado, it bears some exposure here too.
Kos said this ad for Missouri senate candidate Claire McCaskill hit him like a ton of bricks. And yes, while Missouri is a few states over, stem cell research is important to Congresswoman Degette and we all know who here in our almost square state opposes it.
I have Frontal Temporal Lobe Dimentia. This is a degenerative brain disease kind of like Alzheimers. I am married and have two little girls. In two to four years, I'll be a vegetable. In seven, I'll be dead.
Well, Karl Rove came to town. He did his level best to raise money for the many weak candidates his party is fronting this year. He did raise money - though the candidates aren't any stronger politically than they would've been without Rove's visit.
Washington - The Senate voted today after two days of emotional debate to expand federal funding of embryonic stem cell research, sending the measure to President Bush for a promised veto that would be the first of his presidency.
The bill was originally co-sponsored by Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., who has pushed for the Senate to vote on the measure since the House approved it more than a year ago.
The bill passed 63-37, four votes short of the two-thirds majority that would be needed to override Bush's veto. The president left little doubt he would reject the bill despite late appeals on its behalf from fellow Republicans Nancy Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Now, borrowing for our President's recent choice of words, if we could just call Bush and get him to cut his fundie pandering shit out we might get this bill signed.
Bush is coming to Denver for a fundraiser, costing taxpayers some $60,000 in security, to raise money for Republicans in the strongest Democratic CD in the state. But will he meet with Diana DeGette to discuss her bipartisan Stem Cell Bill?
WASHINGTON — President Bush has taken a pass on meeting with Rep. Diana DeGette before a looming veto showdown over her bill expanding federally-funded embryonic stem cell research.
DeGette, D-Denver, and Rep. Mike Castle, R-Del., requested a White House meeting in hopes of persuading him to back down from a long-standing veto threat and support their legislation, which would enact ethical guidelines and then expand the number of stem-cell lines available for federal research.
Who cares about skyrocketing budget deficits, unparalleled levels of pork, corporate hand outs, off-book account of the Iraq war--no... Bush must use his first veto to stop legislation even Nancy Reagan supports.
Please, please, please veto the bill Bush. Paccione, Winter, and Fawcett, and Perlammstien (whoever wins CD-7) won't be able to thank you enough.
WASHINGTON — An agreement between Senate leaders clears the way for a long-awaited vote on Rep. Diana DeGette’s legislation to expand embryonic stem cell research.
DeGette, D-Denver, has waited more than a year for the U.S. Senate to take action on her legislation expanding the number of stem-cell lines available for federally funded research.
Last Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., and Democratic Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., announced they had reached agreement to bring up the bill, along with two related measures, in coming weeks.
...
The vote date has not been scheduled, but Frist said it could happen as early as this month. He had been under pressure from Democrats to bring the matter up for a vote.
The bill, if actually brought to the floor, should pass with flying colors. There's always the "cloture" part of the proceedings, but I can't see any Dems voting against cutting off debate. Also, there's enough moderate Republicans afraid for their lives (DeWine, Chaffee, etc.) to get to the 60 needed, not to mention the political fall-out from blocking this bill on all Republicans.
I've stated before why I love the stem cell issue as a wedge, especially in local Congressional races. The entire Republican House delegation voted against this bill.
But would Bush sign it? Think of the political hay if Bush's first veto is of expanding stem cell research. If he signs it, he upsets the wacko-fundie base. If he vetoes it, even Nancy Reagan will be mad at him.
From the Post, there is a potential upcoming vote on Diana DeGette's (D-CO) embyonic stem cell bill:
An agreement reached after extended negotiations allows a vote on DeGette's bill. She and other backers of the legislation believe they have enough votes for passage.
"This is what we have all been waiting on for the past year," DeGette, D-Colo., said. "There is overwhelming bipartisan support for expanding stem-cell research, which will help extend or save the lives of millions of Americans."
Washington - Rep. Diana DeGette's quest to vastly increase embryonic stem-cell research appears headed for a vote in the Senate - and a potential showdown with President Bush.
Supporters are confident that DeGette's bill, HR 810, will pass the Senate after winning approval in the House last year, but Bush has repeatedly threatened to veto it.
DeGette, D-Denver, wants a chance to talk Bush out of his first-ever veto, arguing that the research offers the opportunity to find ways to ease suffering for people with Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Type 1 diabetes and other illnesses.
"All I request is that he sit down face to face with me and let me try to explain the impact this bill will have on the millions of people who suffer from these diseases," DeGette said in a phone call last week from London, where she traveled to learn about the United Kingdom's stem-cell research.
First: DeGette is claiming to have the votes in the Senate. Second: Imagine Bush's first veto being to deny access to stem cells. No matter what he did, it could be seen as having positive political effect. If Bush signs it, Dems crafted "bipartisan legislation" and SpongeDob's pissed. If Bush vetoes it, Republicans are against the majority of Americans, and Dems nationwide have some powerful fodder for their campaigns.
LAMM CALLS FOR ACTION ON STEM CELLS
Criticizes Republican Obstruction of Life-Saving Research
Arvada, CO – Peggy Lamm, candidate for Colorado’s 7th Congressional District, today called on Congress to expand federal funding for crucial stem cell research and to increase the number of stem cell lines currently eligible for such research.
As you probably already know by now, today marks the one year anniversary of the US House passing Diana DeGette co-authored legislation to allow more federal money to be spent on stem cell research. Her bill passed with bipartisan support: 238 Yeas, 184 Nays. But since the right-wing base loves to Focus on the Fetus, Bill Frist has let the bill lie dormant in the Senate to protect Bush.
Public opinion polls have shown that the vast majority of Americans support embryonic stem cell (ESC) research. In a recent poll of Americans nationwide, the Genetics and Public Policy Center (GPPC), a non-partisan research institution, found that 67% of Americans approve of ESC research. This level of support was largely consistent regardless of sex, race, age, political affiliation and religion – the only exceptions were fundamentalist and evangelical Christians, yet 50% of them also supported the research.
I think its fair to assume if Kansas support stem cell research 2:1, Colorado does too. So what message did the Colorado delegation send to the House of Representatives for the people? All we must do is look at Roll Call Vote 204:
Republicans
- Marilyn Musgrave (CD-4) - No
- Joel Hefley (CD-5) - No
- Tom Tancredo (CD-6) - No
- Bob Beauprez (CD-7) - No
Democrats
- Diana DeGette (CD-1) - Yes
- Mark Udall (CD-2) - Yes
- John Salazar (Cd-3) - Yes
We're always complaining the Democrats don't stand for anything or they're GOP-Lite. They're never taking a stand. Well, they did one year ago today. And 67% of Americans were on our side.
Stem cell research screams wedge issue for Bill Winter. I mean, the guy gave his kidney to save his sister's life (Reason #13 to vote for Bill). If we had stem cell research, perhaps Bill's sister could have never needed a new kidney, or perhaps even kidneys could be grown. I'd also like to hear Tom Tancredo's answer for voting against it, being asked by Bill Winter at a debate.
Also, Bill Ritter has publicly stated support for this bill. Bob Beauprez is on the record against it.
I was relieved to see Salazar on the right side and a little disappointed in Hefley.
With U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette at his side, President Obama today overturned George W. Bush's executive order effectively banning Federal support for stem cell research, fulfilling another campaign promise. (
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