Stem Cell Debate

There's dangerous legislation that represents a direct assault on human life making some headway in Congress.

The U.S. Senate is preparing to take up Majority Leader Harry Reid's embryonic stem cell research bill, S.5.  This bill is basically the same text as the bill that passed with 63 votes in the Senate last June and opens up federal funding to the embryonic stem cell research industry.

Given the results of the election in November, it is very likely this bill will receive more than 63 votes this time, maybe even enough to override a Presidential veto. Drew Ryun in our Government Affairs office reports that Republicans are seeking language that would advance adult stem cell research, calling it the HOPE Act. This language would authorize additional federal funding for stem cell research including certain types of embryonic stem cell research as long as they employ methods which do not destroy, harm or create a human embryo.

Whether the Republicans will be successful with this language remains to be seen, but the bottom line is that it is going to be a tough fight in the Senate. We just may see a repeat of last year's Presidential veto.

There is some good news to report in the House on the grassroots lobbying front. The last two days, our Washington team has hand-delivered letters outlining the ACLJ's constitutional arguments against section 220-type language to every House office.  You may recall, legislative efforts intensified to label churches and non-profits as lobbying organizations which would subject them to governmental regulation.  We're encouraged by meetings by House members who understand the First Amendment problems that any bill attempting to constrain grassroots lobbying presents.

There's a lot of activity underway on Capitol Hill.  We'll keep you posted.