Senate Republicans Seek Compromise Bill On Stem Cells

Senate Republicans are promoting a stem cell measure to compete with a Democratic bill that would increase federal financing for research on embryonic stem cells.

Republican Sens. Johnny Isakson of Georgia and Norm Coleman of Minnesota have introduced the HOPE Act, and have received support from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Their bill seeks to find a "middle ground" piece of legislation that the president might sign.

It would increase federal funding for research on pluripotent stem cell research and some forms of embryonic stem cell research, but not for research that would involve the destruction of human embryos. It would also finance research on embryos that have died naturally.

President Bush has already vowed to veto the stem cell bill pushed by Democrats that would lift the ban on federal dollars going to new embryonic research studies. The only veto of his presidency has been on such a stem cell bill.

One Republican aide said that Democrats are "starting to show their colors" on the issue, and he believes Republicans are edging closer to 60 votes in support of their bill. "The president will veto," the Democats' bill, the aide says. "You've got to find a compromise." Bush indicated today that he might sign such a compromise.

By Silla Brush