Stem cell bill passed in House, faces veto

In a 247-176 vote, the U.S. House of Representatives passed two bills that would increase federal funding of stem cell research. Back in April the Senate passed the bills in a 63-34 vote. One of the measures loosens the restrictions President Bush put on the embryonic stem cell field soon after his election, closely imitating legislation he vetoed last year. The second bill, backed by Republicans, offers research support for adult stem cell programs.

Despite support for the measures, supporters didn't manage to rally enough votes to override the inevitable presidential veto. In a written statement, the President voiced his objections to the stem cell funding bills: "American taxpayers would for the first time in our history be compelled to support the deliberate destruction of human embryos. Crossing that line would be a grave mistake."

- read this report from the AP

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