By Staff
WASHINGTON – President Bush used the first veto of his presidency Wednesday to reject legislation that could have expanded federal money for embryonic stem cell research.
The House failed to override Bush's veto by a vote of 235 to 193, although Cass County's congressman, U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, voted for overriding the veto.
A two-thirds majority is required to override a presidential veto.
"We have all been heartbroken by the personal pain of a family member or loved one stricken with debilitating illnesses like ALS, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes," Upton commented after the House of Representatives vote to override the president's veto of H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.
"The legislation that the president vetoed today would have expanded research on embryonic stem cells in our quest for breakthrough treatments and cures.
"We should allow those embryos that will be discarded – literally thrown away – to be used instead, with very strong ethical guidelines – for advanced medical research.
"Leading scientists believe that embryonic stem cells are our best hope for cures and treatments," Upton said, "and this legislation, which had strong ethical safeguards, would have furthered that effort."