The 63-34 vote was just under the margin needed to ensure enactment over presidential opposition, and President Bush has threatened however to side with opponents of the bill and veto it a second time.
Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council, issued the following statement shortly after the Act was passed:
"Rather than defend human dignity, a majority of Senators approved legislation to force taxpayers to fund research that requires the destruction of human life. Nevertheless, this bill fell short of the two thirds majority necessary to override the president's promised veto.
I welcome the ethical stand thirty four Senators embraced to oppose forcing taxpayers to fund research that requires the destruction of embryonic human life. I particularly applaud the support of Republicans Mitch McConnell and Sam Brownback, as well as Democrats Ben Nelson and Bob Casey for their hard work."
Claire McCaskill, D-MO is quoted in TIME as saying, "Not every day do we have the opportunity to vote to heal the sick."
The Stem Cell issue was heavily debated in the last election and at times seemed to split the country and its lawmakers on two sides of the line.
McCaskill added, "It is a noble cause."
Michael J. Fox who suffers from Parkinson's disease, an ailment that stem cell research reportedly would be able to treat also issued a statement about the passing of the funding act:
"I am pleased to join millions of Americans in thanking Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senators on both sides of the aisle for putting partisan differences aside and passing S. 5, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. It's a great day for scientists and patients across this country.
This vote reaffirms the Senate's commitment to funding embryonic stem cell research that provides hope to patients and families living with diseases and disorders including cancer, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, heart disease, Alzheimer's and even Parkinson's.
Today a majority of the U.S. Senate, a majority of the House of Representatives and over 70 percent of Americans support expanding funding for stem cell research. I am hopeful that President Bush will consider their wishes and not stand in the way by vetoing this important legislation."
President Bush however is still adamant about killing the advancement of the bill and on more than one occasion has publicly promised to veto it.
In a statement released from the White House Bush said, "The Senate today voted in support of legislation to overturn these safeguards. I believe this will encourage taxpayer money to be spent on the destruction or endangerment of living human embryos -- raising serious moral concerns for millions of Americans."
President Bush believes research using human embryonic stem cells is still at an early stage, and it will be years before researchers know how much promise lies in therapeutic applications. I
Bush continued by saying, "S.5 is very similar to legislation I vetoed last year. This bill crosses a moral line that I and many others find troubling. If it advances all the way through Congress to my desk, I will veto it."
Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa one of the legislations biggest supporters is hoping Bush will reconsider, "I urge him to reconsider this bill and sign it. Unleash America's scientists."
Stem cells are created in the first days after conception. They are typically culled from frozen embryos, which are destroyed in the process. According to the National Institutes of Health Web site, scientists have been able to conduct experiments with embryonic stem cells only since 1998.
Embryonic stem cells have unique ability to transform into any number of various specialized cells. Its this capability that scientists and others say offers the potential for the development of treatment for diseases as varied as juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
