Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
Senate puts off stem cell vote
Associated Press
Published October 22, 2005
WASHINGTON - The Senate won't vote until early next year on a bill to loosen restrictions on publicly funded embryonic stem cell studies, under a deal struck Friday by the sponsors.
"The majority leader has committed to bringing it up as one of the first items next year," Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., the stem cell bill's lead sponsor, announced on the Senate floor. Before their agreement, the sponsors had said they would hold up a must-pass spending measure until lawmakers voted on the research.
The deal releases Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., from his promise to hold a vote this year on the measure, which would loosen President Bush's 2001 ban on federal funding for research on new stem cell lines.
The bill is controversial because the research process destroys fertilized human embryos, which some people believe is immoral. The House passed the measure in May and it is expected to win a majority in the Senate. Neither chamber has enough votes to override Bush's promised veto.
Embryonic stem cell studies have the support of a majority of Americans in part because the research holds great promise in the search for treatments and cures for such diseases as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes and cancer.
Frist, a heart transplant surgeon, supports the bill. He floated the deal earlier this week amid an end-of-year legislative crunch with unfinished items that include must-pass spending bills, Harriet Miers' Supreme Court nomination and relief for the Gulf Coast.
Bush names new deputy attorney general nominee
WASHINGTON - Paul McNulty, 47, a federal prosecutor, was chosen Friday by President Bush to serve as the No. 2 Justice Department official, after the withdrawal of a nominee who faced questions about his business ties.
As the U.S. attorney in Alexandria, Va., since 2001, McNulty has prosecuted several high-profile terrorism cases.
His nomination as deputy attorney general must be confirmed by the Senate, but the White House said he would serve in an acting capacity until then. The post has been vacant since James Comey resigned in August.
Bush's previous nominee, Timothy E. Flanigan, withdrew his nomination in early October.
[Last modified October 22, 2005, 01:14:12]
Share your thoughts on this story
|
News
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
Print
Email story
Comment
Email editor
