Lois Capps: “today is certainly a momentous day. President Bush is about to veto the first bill of his 6-year Presidency, and we will…”

“today is certainly a momentous day. President Bush is about to veto the first bill of his 6-year Presidency, and we will have the opportunity to override this veto and reaffirm the House of Representatives' support for lifesaving medical research. I take this moment to remind my colleagues of what H.R. 810 and stem cell research can do. Embryonic stem cells have the unique ability to become any other kind of bodily cell. These cells have the potential to help researchers find cures, that is right, cures, for diabetes, Alzheimer's, ALS, cancer, heart disease, Parkinson's, the list goes on. Under H.R. 810 these cells would be extracted from embryos that are already created for in vitro fertilization and are no longer needed. Use of these surplus embryos would only be done with the consent of the donor. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the override and put us on the path to saving lives. ____________________”