Senate votes to ease Bush stem cell limits

[Norm]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070411/...temcells_dc_10

[Wise Young]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070411/...temcells_dc_10

The Senate passed legislation to eliminate a nearly 6-year-old Bush restriction, 63-34, with 17 Republicans and two independents joining 44 Democrats in voting aye.

Thanks, Norman. It is only 3 more votes for a senate veto overide = 66 votes!

Wise.

[Foolish Old]

Originally Posted by Wise Young

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070411/...temcells_dc_10


Thanks, Norman. It is only 3 more votes for a senate veto overide = 66 votes!

Wise.

Not to split hairs, but with every vote carrying such import - it seems relevant that the number needed for an override is 67. (Apologies in advance if this is wrong.) Also, a Senator who missed the vote asked that her intent to vote yea on S5 be entered in the record. Tim Johnson is reported to be on the mend - I think he is a yea - but who knows when (or if) he will return?

Senator Arlen Specter spoke with passion on the need for people supporting this legislation to DEMAND that congress pass this bill. He stated that this is the only way we will get federal funding for ESCR. Too often this community (not just CC, but the spinal paralysis universe) allows their anger to be misdirected into unfocused, thereby unproductive, bitching and whining. We can do better.

Leadership (or the lack of leadership) must bear some responsibility for this malaise. We need better, more inspirational leaders who can identify and articulate an effective action plan that details next steps in this fight. Such a plan would help each individual recognise specific and real ways that they can advance the cure. We can no longer afford to spend so much of our collective energy wringing our hands because we have lost our Superman. There are others amongst you with the vision and charisma to help us move forward. Time to step up!

As individuals, we must accept responsibility for our political fate. We should know who represents us and how they stand (more importantly, how they vote) on issues of importance to us. We need to know and understand the issues. This is not easy. But how is it that we can keep up on which survivor last left the island, but not know that a major vote is scheduled in the Senate? What did we do to affect the outcome?

[Leo]

I spoke with Tim Johnson's aide, he couldn't vote this time,

however he's getting restless and anxious to get back, i've spoke with him in DC and back home, he's very committed to this, i can't help but think if needed he'll be there.

i suppose depends on the deadline for a vote to over ride

[Foolish Old]

Originally Posted by Leo

I spoke with Tim Johnson's aide, he couldn't vote this time,

however he's getting restless and anxious to get back, i've spoke with him in DC and back home, he's very committed to this, i can't help but think if needed he'll be there.

i suppose depends on the deadline for a vote to over ride

Good for you, Leo! If we would all, every damn one of us, keep in touch with our elected politicians and advocate for our needs, federal funding wouldn't be a hope, it would be reality.

Good news that Senator Johnson desires to return to the hill. As we all know, it all starts with desire. We need his help.

Where do the other needed votes come from? We're too close to let this slip away. A Senate override can provide courage to the House, so there's more than symbolism at stake.

[momo3]

Who from Minnesota besides Coleman voted no? I will be more than happy to contact any and all that need to be talked to.

[Wise Young]

Originally Posted by Foolish Old

Not to split hairs, but with every vote carrying such import - it seems relevant that the number needed for an override is 67. (Apologies in advance if this is wrong.) Also, a Senator who missed the vote asked that her intent to vote yea on S5 be entered in the record. Tim Johnson is reported to be on the mend - I think he is a yea - but who knows when (or if) he will return?

Senator Arlen Specter spoke with passion on the need for people supporting this legislation to DEMAND that congress pass this bill. He stated that this is the only way we will get federal funding for ESCR. Too often this community (not just CC, but the spinal paralysis universe) allows their anger to be misdirected into unfocused, thereby unproductive, bitching and whining. We can do better.

Leadership (or the lack of leadership) must bear some responsibility for this malaise. We need better, more inspirational leaders who can identify and articulate an effective action plan that details next steps in this fight. Such a plan would help each individual recognise specific and real ways that they can advance the cure. We can no longer afford to spend so much of our collective energy wringing our hands because we have lost our Superman. There are others amongst you with the vision and charisma to help us move forward. Time to step up!

As individuals, we must accept responsibility for our political fate. We should know who represents us and how they stand (more importantly, how they vote) on issues of importance to us. We need to know and understand the issues. This is not easy. But how is it that we can keep up on which survivor last left the island, but not know that a major vote is scheduled in the Senate? What did we do to affect the outcome?

Foolish, I am sorry that I wrote such a cryptic message and did not explain further.

The vote was 63-34, meaning that 3 senators did not vote. It was sponsored by 41 senators:
Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] - 1/4/2007
Sen Baucus, Max [MT] - 2/5/2007
Sen Bingaman, Jeff [NM] - 3/14/2007
Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] - 1/4/2007
Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] - 1/11/2007
Sen Cantwell, Maria [WA] - 1/4/2007
Sen Cardin, Benjamin L. [MD] - 1/9/2007
Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [NY] - 1/4/2007
Sen Collins, Susan M. [ME] - 1/10/2007
Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [CT] - 1/4/2007
Sen Dorgan, Byron L. [ND] - 3/13/2007
Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] - 1/4/2007
Sen Feingold, Russell D. [WI] - 1/4/2007
Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] - 1/4/2007
Sen Harkin, Tom [IA] - 1/4/2007
Sen Hatch, Orrin G. [UT] - 1/4/2007
Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] - 1/4/2007
Sen Johnson, Tim [SD] - 2/27/2007
Sen Kennedy, Edward M. [MA] - 1/4/2007
Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] - 1/4/2007
Sen Kohl, Herb [WI] - 1/4/2007
Sen Lautenberg, Frank R. [NJ] - 1/4/2007
Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [VT] - 1/4/2007
Sen Levin, Carl [MI] - 1/4/2007
Sen Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT] - 1/4/2007
Sen Lincoln, Blanche L. [AR] - 1/4/2007
Sen McCaskill, Claire [MO] - 4/10/2007
Sen Menendez, Robert [NJ] - 1/4/2007
Sen Mikulski, Barbara A. [MD] - 1/4/2007
Sen Murray, Patty [WA] - 2/5/2007
Sen Nelson, Bill [FL] - 1/4/2007
Sen Obama, Barack [IL] - 1/4/2007
Sen Reed, Jack [RI] - 1/4/2007
Sen Sanders, Bernard [VT] - 1/17/2007
Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] - 1/4/2007
Sen Smith, Gordon H. [OR] - 1/4/2007
Sen Snowe, Olympia J. [ME] - 1/4/2007
Sen Specter, Arlen [PA] - 1/4/2007
Sen Stabenow, Debbie [MI] - 1/4/2007
Sen Stevens, Ted [AK] - 4/11/2007
Sen Webb, Jim [VA] - 1/4/2007

The vote is as follows:
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LI...n=2&vote=00206
YEAs ---63

1. Akaka (D-HI)
2. Alexander (R-TN)
3. Baucus (D-MT)
4. Bayh (D-IN)
5. Bennett (R-UT)
6. Biden (D-DE)
7. Bingaman (D-NM)
8. Boxer (D-CA)
9. Brown (D-OH)
10. Burr (R-NC)
11. Byrd (D-WV)
12. Cantwell (D-WA)
13. Cardin (D-MD)
14. Carper (D-DE)
15. Clinton (D-NY)
16. Cochran (R-MS)
17. Collins (R-ME)
18. Conrad (D-ND)
19. Dorgan (D-ND)
20. Durbin (D-IL)
21. Feingold (D-WI)
22. Feinstein (D-CA)
23. Gregg (R-NH)
24. Harkin (D-IA)
25. Hatch (R-UT)
26. Hutchison (R-TX)
27. Inouye (D-HI)
28. Kennedy (D-MA)
29. Kerry (D-MA)
30. Klobuchar (D-MN)
31. Kohl (D-WI)
32. Lautenberg (D-NJ)
33. Leahy (D-VT)
34. Levin (D-MI)
35. Lieberman (ID-CT)
36. Lincoln (D-AR)
37. Lott (R-MS)
38. Lugar (R-IN)
39. McCain (R-AZ)
40. McCaskill (D-MO)
41. Menendez (D-NJ)
42. Mikulski (D-MD)
43. Murkowski (R-AK)
44. Murray (D-WA)
45. Nelson (D-FL)
46. Obama (D-IL)
47. Pryor (D-AR)
48. Reed (D-RI)
49. Reid (D-NV)
50. Rockefeller (D-WV)
51. Salazar (D-CO)
52. Sanders (I-VT)
53. Schumer (D-NY)
54. Smith (R-OR)
55. Snowe (R-ME)
56. Specter (R-PA)
57. Stabenow (D-MI)
58. Stevens (R-AK)
59. Tester (D-MT)
60. Warner (R-VA)
61. Webb (D-VA)
62. Whitehouse (D-RI)
63. Wyden (D-OR)

NAYs ---34

• Allard (R-CO)
• Bond (R-MO)
• Brownback (R-KS)
• Bunning (R-KY)
• Casey (D-PA)
• Chambliss (R-GA)
• Coburn (R-OK)
• Coleman (R-MN)
• Corker (R-TN)
• Cornyn (R-TX)
• Craig (R-ID)
• Crapo (R-ID)
• DeMint (R-SC)
• Dole (R-NC)
• Domenici (R-NM)
• Ensign (R-NV)
• Enzi (R-WY)
• Graham (R-SC)
• Grassley (R-IA)
• Hagel (R-NE)
• Inhofe (R-OK)
• Isakson (R-GA)
• Kyl (R-AZ)
• Martinez (R-FL)
• McConnell (R-KY)
• Nelson (D-NE)
• Roberts (R-KS)
• Sessions (R-AL)
• Shelby (R-AL)
• Sununu (R-NH)
• Thomas (R-WY)
• Thune (R-SD)
• Vitter (R-LA)
• Voinovich (R-OH)

Not Voting - 3

• Dodd (D-CT)
• Johnson (D-SD)
• Landrieu (D-LA)

I was referring to the three senators who did not vote: Dodd, Johnson, and Landrieu. Note that they are all democrats and known supporters of stem cell research. By the way, the bill supports both embryonic and non-embryonic stem cell research. If these three senators voted, it would be 66-34. Of course, in a situation of a tie, the Vice-President (Dick Cheney) would vote and it would be 67-34.

So, the veto over-ride requires the conversion of just one vote from the Nay votes and all three of the non-voters to say Yea. Let us look specifically at the Nay votes and who might be swayable.

1. Two democrats voted Nay:
   • Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL)
   • Senator Bob Casey (D-PA)
2. The following are considered to be "soft" nays.
   • Senator Christopher Bond (R-MO)
   • Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)
   • Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID)
   • Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM)
   • Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)

Senator Bill Nelson was elected to the Senate in 2000. He had served in the ouse of Representatives from 1979-1991. He will be up for re-election in November 8, 2012. He is a moderate democrat, strong supporter of science and NASA. He said, "It started with Terri Schiavo. I think what you're seeing is a reaction--that people are saying I have enough of this intolerance and trying to carm their agenda down the people's throats. People are getting tired of that... I can't tell you how many Republicans have come to me and said 'I am off the reservation because of the fiscal policies of this administration, spending so much money like a drunken sailor. All of these things are coming home to roost." (Oct 5, 2005). http://usliberals.about.com/od/liber...BillNelson.htm

Senator Bob Casey was elected in Pennsylvania to replace Senator Rick Santorum. He announced earlier in the week that he would vote against the bill, despite strong lobbying. He is anti-abortion and is "opposed to federal funding for research that involves the destruction of living embryos" (Source). Perhaps somebody should ask him whether he opposed federal funding of in vitro fertilization research, which destroys hundreds or even thousands of blastocysts each week. The bill only allows the funding of research on stem cells isolated from in vitro fertilized eggs that will be destroyed anyway.

Senator "Kt" Bond of Missouri said "I am reluctant to support an expansion of the president's stem cell policy that allows federal taxpyaer dollars for research that relies on the destruction of human embryos to derive stem cells". He supports legislation from Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota which would have allowed research on embryonic stem cells that "have died naturally". Please note that the state of Missouri became the first state in November to give constitutional protection to stem cell research in a ballot initiative that was approved by voters 51.2% to 48.8%. The issue also played a key role in Missouri's senate race where Clair McCaskill defeated Jim Talent (Source).

Senator Saxby Chambliss from Georgia will be facing his first re-election in 21 months has been breaking from President Bush on a number of issues. Recently, he voted in a committee against General George Casey, who was nominated by President Bush for Army Chief-of-Staff. He supports the Coleman bill which would allow NIH to fund studies of embryonic stem cells derived since 2007 (instead of the Presidential limit of August 2001). He supported the Coleman bill because it would avoid the "moral wars over the proedure and get past a presidential veto. This bill ... will not only advance science, it will allow embryonic research to take place... we can move forward on embryonic research" (Source). This statement suggests that if the Coleman bill does not succeed and President Bush vetoes the SCREA, Senator Chambliss may be persuaded to vote to override the veto.

Senator Mike Crapo from Idaho supported expanding stem cell research in 2004 (Source).

Senator Pete Dominici of New Mexico has been relatively quiet on the issue of stem cells, neither supporting nor speaking out against embryonic stem cell research. In fact, a google search reveals no statements by the senator on stem cells.

Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa said, ""I cannot in good conscience support a bill that requires taxpayers to fund the destruction of human life. This is a slippery slope.'' (Source).

In the meantime, the SCREA bill moves to President George Bush's desk Source). Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) said, ""I'm hopeful the president won't veto it because I think he can see it's only a matter of time" before Congress gains a veto-proof margin.

[Foolish Old]

Dr. Young,

I think you might have your Senatorial Nelsons confused. I'm reasonably certain that Florida's Bill Nelson voted for S5.

My comment in regard to your first post was to clarify that a minimum of 67 Senators must vote to override a presidential veto in order for the legislation to become law.

[Wise Young]

Originally Posted by Foolish Old

Dr. Young,

I think you might have your Senatorial Nelsons confused. I'm reasonably certain that Florida's Bill Nelson voted for S5.

I too was surprised when I saw his name on the list. The rollcall on the vote is http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LI...n=2&vote=00206 There is only one Senator Nelson from Florida and he is Bill Nelson. I think that you have your work cut out for you. His vote would make the Senate vote veto-proof.

Wise.

[Leo]

NE, Ben Nelson

and Nebraska has a great group in place to put pressure,

http://www.nebraskansforresearch.org/

I can spit and hit Nebraska from here, seems like a good place to use energy