Cardinal urges Bush to veto any embryonic stem-cell legislation

Published: 2005-08-01

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The head of the U.S. bishops' pro-life committee has encouraged President George W. Bush to veto any legislation that would loosen restrictions on federally funded human embryonic stem-cell research. The statement was issued by Baltimore Cardinal William H. Keeler, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities, after Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., modified his stand to back legislation that would relax restrictions. Frist's support improves chances that the Senate will pass a bill easing restrictions when it returns in September from its summer recess. The House already passed such a bill. "I commend President Bush for his laudable pledge to veto such legislation," said Cardinal Keeler in a July 29 statement. The cardinal's statement was issued in Washington by the U.S. bishops' Department of Communications hours after Frist, who previously agreed with Bush's restrictions, said in a Senate speech that the Bush policy was hindering research that could lead to cures for a number of diseases.

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