Republicans urge Obama to overturn stem cell ban

[cal04]

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/02/19/republicans-urge-obama-to-overturn-stem-cell-ban/

A group of six moderate House Republicans have written to President Obama urging him to lift President Bush's ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

"We are writing to respectfully urge that you immediately lift the current federal restrictions on funding for embryonic stem cell research," they wrote Wednesday, also requesting that the president ask the National Institutes of Health to issue "appropriate guidelines."

The letter was signed by Reps. Fred Upton of Michigan, Charles Dent of Pennsylvania, Brian Bilbray of California, Michael Castle of Delaware, and Mark Steven Kirk and Judy Biggert of Illinois.

(snip)
"While we have been encouraged by recent news reports that you plan to issue an Executive Order soon, we cannot stress enough the importance of swift action," the moderate GOP members of Congress wrote Wednesday. "After the current restrictions are lifted, we stand ready to work with you and our colleagues in Congress on adopting complimentary legislation."

The Republicans said that stem cell research holds "great promise" for Americans suffering from afflictions like Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries and diabetes.

[NV Whino]

1. That's encouraging.

But, did they support the stimulus plan? Do I hear a no?

[phleshdef]

2. I'm pretty sure he planned on doing that anyways.

[Thrill]

3. Oh Please. Trying to take credit for something Obama was already going to do

[SunsetDreams]

5. Nail meet head :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. Well, who knew? There are moderate Republicans still...

Good for them!

It takes quite a lot of courage to make a stand of this sort, esp. while most Republicans are either afraid to, or simply don't hold this position at all.

I hope Obama listens.

[liberal N proud]

6. Republicans?

Knock me over with a feather

[The Wielding Truth]

7. This is bizarre.Isn't it? They oppose it forever then when it's

coming anyhow, they try to get in front of it. Oh well, at least they are on the right side for a change.

[Demoiselle]

8. I thought he already did it! (eom)

[Wildewolfe]

9. There's actually always been

a fairly large number of republicans that didn't want stem cell research restricted like it was.

Even cat killer Frist supported expanding research. As I recall it was restricted by executive order (i.e. little georgie did it all by his little lonesome). The Govinater our in California completely rejected * on this one and set up California's own stem cell research program.

Yes there are a lot of repubs against it, but a surprising amount of them for it to. This is one issue they don't tend to vote in lockstep on.

[Kalyke]

10. And this will be the wingnut media's next "RINO" hit list.

:eyes: