quote:Originally posted by djg7: Quest, I'm still in. I picked up some cheaper shares during the dip. I'm holding this for a while. I am attending to illness issues within my family so I'll check in when I can. Many thanks for your posts.
My best wishes to you and your family,i hope all recovers well!
also from the other board
...That the debate is happening at all is the result of a deal brokered by Frist, who broke a yearlong standoff between supporters and opponents of the legislation. To satisfy opponents and clear objections blocking the debate, Frist also is allowing votes on two related bills. One, sponsored by Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., would encourage study on stem cells derived from sources other than embryos. The other, sponsored by Santorum and Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., would ban so-called "fetal farming," the possibility of developing fetuses and aborting them for scientific purposes. Those two bills are uncontroversial. The House is expected to approve them Tuesday by voice vote, and Bush is expected to sign them.
Tuesday is shaping up to be a real good day for CLBE. The PR could come in the AM but my guess is they will release it AFTER the vote on Tuesday to reference the bills passing the Senate. I say the PR comes out in the late afternoon or in the AM on Wednesday.
posted
I would like to report a fact: the MMs let the pps jump from 0.071 to 0.075 with a volume of 84k. This indicates that the MMs have full control of pps movement. They can raise it or dump it, depending on their need, either to unload or collect shares. So we should treat ClBE as pump/dump stock from the MMs point of view. You should set a target for profit taking. Never consider it as an investment unless CLBE is moved to Nasdaq. BTW, the MMs have used PRs to create 5 fake runs in the last two months. This is my personal opinion only. -- Do your DD, this is a gamble.
Posts: 3228 | From: Michigan | Registered: Aug 2005
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Frist Remarks On Stem Cell Research posted July 17, 2006
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D., delivered the following statement on the Senate floor Monday as the debate over stem cell research began. The remarks as prepared for delivery follow:
“Earlier this afternoon, we began debate on what has become the first major moral and ethical challenge to biomedical research in the 21st century: the future of stem cell research.
“Modern science advances by leaps and bounds. Less than a century ago, there were no antibiotics, no vaccines. Measles, mumps, small pox, polio — all diseases that ravaged our population a hundred years ago – and yet today, they no longer intimidate us. They're virtually eradicated.
“With such forward momentum, biomedical research is constantly changing. And that means that the rules and processes governing stem cell research must constantly be reassessed — and changed – when fitting. It should not be driven by the research community alone. This is our responsibility as United States senators.
“That's why we're here today. We have before us three bills: S.3504, the Fetus Farming Prohibition Act; S.2754, the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act; and H.R.810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. Each addresses a different facet of the issues raised by advancing stem cell research. And each demands thoughtful deliberation.
“I came to this floor five years ago — on July 18, 2001 — and laid out a comprehensive proposal to promote stem cell research within an ethical framework. I proposed 10 specific interdependent principles. They dealt with all types of stem cell research, including adult and embryonic stem cells.
“They have kept me consistent and guided my assessment of stem cell research since it first came to the forefront. And they've provided a framework for evaluating the various pieces of legislation on stem cells that have come before this body. My 10 principles are:
1. Ban embryo creation for research; 2. Continue funding ban on derivation; 3. Ban human cloning; 4. Increase adult stem cell research; 5. Provide funding for embryonic stem cell research only from blastocysts that would otherwise be discarded; 6. Require a rigorous informed consent process; 7. Limit number of stem cell lines; 8. Establish a strong public research oversight system; 9. Require ongoing, independent scientific and ethical review; 10. Strengthen and harmonize fetal tissue research restrictions.
“Principles are meant to stand the test of time — even when applied to a field changing as quickly as stem cell research.
“I believe that embryonic stem cell research and adult stem cell research should be federally funded within a carefully regulated, fully transparent, fully accountable framework, ensuring the highest level of respect for the moral significance of the human embryo.
“But, we should fund research only on embryonic stem cells derived from blastocysts left over from fertility therapy, which are destined to be discarded and destroyed.
“I am pro-life. I believe human life begins at conception. It is at this moment that the organism is complete — immature, but complete. It's genetically distinct. It's biologically human — living.
“Development is a gradual, continuous process. We were all once embryos — human life at its earliest stage of development. And accordingly, the human embryo has moral significance and moral worth. It deserves to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect.
S.3504, the Fetus Farming Prohibition Act of 2006 (Santorum and Brownback)
“Fetus farming — the implantation and gestation of a human embryo in a human or animal for the purpose of aborting for research — falls far short of "utmost dignity and respect."
“The Fetus Farming Prohibition Act of 2006 (S.3504) ensures that this practice is never employed in human research in the U.S.
“The purposeful development of a human embryo — the manufacture of human life — for experimentation and its ultimate destruction is morally reprehensible. It offends the conscience, degrades the value of human life, and isn’t medically necessary.
“Yet it's a practice that some in the field of developmental biology may be inclined to pursue. Not only does it demonstrate a flagrant lack of respect for nascent human life, but it creates powerful incentives for women to undergo an intense regimen of superovulation drugs and surgery, with potentially devastating side effects. It could exploit women, the most likely targets of egg harvesting for fetus farming.
“Under no circumstances could human fetus farming be labeled ‘medical advancement.’ It's the exact opposite: an unconscionable regression of the mores that define our culture — a culture that holds the utmost respect for life and health.
“I have seen firsthand how new medical discoveries and techniques can save lives and make life more fulfilling for others. But I have also seen how fear could and did delay scientific medical advances. To bridge this divide, we must reject a fear of scientific and technological advance. Instead, we must work together to build an ethical framework for pursuing it.
“But even while we reject a fear of scientific and technological advancement, we must still live within limits. Limits do not hamper human advances, but rather allow us to preserve them and promote them. That's why we can reject the practice of fetus farming while still embracing the hope offered by stem cell research. Senators Brownback and Santorum worked hard to bring this important legislation to the floor, and I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting it.
S.2574, the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act (Santorum and Specter)
“On July 18th of 2001, I said,
‘We should not let the potential of this research drive the moral considerations themselves….We do not know what the next great discovery is going to be six months from now....So the oversight process has to be responsive, has to be ongoing. It has to recognize that science moves very quickly.’
“That's why we're here. We recognize that science cannot be practiced in a vacuum. We need to promote and accelerate medical advances — but we also need to ensure that research practices are channeled along lines that respect human life and dignity.
“What seemed impossible, even five years ago, now seems possible. Exciting techniques are now emerging that may make it unnecessary to destroy embryos — even those that will be discarded anyway — to obtain cells with the same unique pluripotential properties as embryonic stem cells. Cells that have the capacity to become any type of tissue in the human body, and the ability to renew and replicate themselves over and over again, indefinitely.
“For example, an adult stem cell could be ‘reprogrammed’ back to an earlier embryonic stage. This may prove to be the best way, both scientifically and ethically, to overcome rejection and other barriers to effective stem cell therapies.
“To me — and I would hope to every member of this body — that's research worth promoting. And that's why I fully support S.2754, the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act.
“In May of 2005, the President's Council on Bioethics issued a report bringing these alternative sources attention. At that time, I asked several of my colleagues to come together and consider how we might encourage their development. With more federal support and emphasis, these newer methods may offer huge scientific and clinical pay-offs. They may bridge moral and ethical differences among people who now hold very different views on stem cell research because they avoid destruction of any human embryos.
“These alternative methods of potentially deriving pluripotent cells include:
1. Extraction from embryos that are no longer living; 2. Non-lethal and non-harmful extraction from embryos; 3. Extraction from artificially created organisms that are not embryos, but embryo-like; and 4. Reprogramming adult cells to pluripotent state through fusion with embryonic cell lines.
“We are already driving and promoting ethical alternatives like adult stem cell and cord blood research — both of which have become important in the course of treatment of numerous diseases.
“To date, adult stem cell research is the only type of stem cell research that has resulted in proven treatments for human patients. And stem cells taken from cord blood have shown great promise in treating leukemia, myeloproliferative disorders, and congenital immune system disorders. Recently, cord blood cells have shown some ability to become natural cells, which could lead to treatments for Parkinson's disease and heart disease.
“Every day we unlock more of the mysteries of human life and more ways to promote and enhance our health. This compels profound questions — moral questions with which we understandably struggle.
“Transplantation posed questions similar to those we now face with stem cell research. What are the markers of a ‘dead’ embryo — meaning it displays specific signs that indicate it won't successfully implant?
“If we can answer this question — if we can devise a moral and ethical framework — then it's my belief we'll have the chance to save many lives, and make countless others more fulfilling. That's why it's imperative that we get our stem cell policy right — scientifically, morally, and ethically.
“I'm a physician. My profession is healing. In all forms of stem cell research, I see today, just as I saw in 2001, great promise to heal. Whether it's diabetes, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, Lou Gehrig's disease, or spinal cord injuries, stem cells offer hope for treatment that other lines of research cannot offer.
“Adult stem cells are powerful. They've effectively treated many diseases and are theoretically promising for others. But embryonic stem cells are uniquely necessary for potentially treating other diseases. Unlike other stem cells, embryonic stem cells are pluripotent. That means they have the capacity to become any type of tissue in the human body. Moreover, they are capable of renewing themselves and replicating themselves over and over again, indefinitely.
“President Bush recognizes this. On August 9, 2001, shortly after I laid out my principles for embryonic stem cell research, the president put into place a policy, which I supported, that for the first time allowed federal funding to explore the potential of embryonic stem cells. The president's policy was generally consistent with my seventh principle: Limit the number of stem cell lines. To establish this limit, he used a date. Lines derived prior to August 9, 2001, are eligible for federal research funds.
“However, in the text of the very same principle, I clearly said that Congress must conduct ongoing oversight.
H.R.810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (Specter and Hatch; Castle and DeGette)
“Over the last five years, we’ve learned that, while it was widely believed 78 embryonic stem cell lines would be available for federal funding, that has proven not to be the case. Today only 22 lines are eligible. Moreover, those lines are starting to become less stable and less replicative than initially thought.
“While human embryonic stem cell research is still at a very early stage, the limitations put in place in 2001 will, over time, slow our ability to bring potential new treatments for certain diseases. Therefore, while I agree with the president's policy, I believe it should be modified.
“That is why I support and will vote for H.R.810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. H.R.810 is far from perfect or ideal. However, H.R.810 does include a few essential restrictions. While the bill, as written, restricts funding to blastocysts left over after IVF that would otherwise be discarded (my fifth principle), it also has significant shortcomings.
“First, it lacks a strong ethical and scientific oversight mechanism. Second, the bill doesn't prohibit financial or other incentives between scientists and fertility clinics. Third, the bill doesn't specify whether the patients or clinic staff or anyone else has the final say about whether an embryo will be implanted or will be discarded.
“Were circumstances different and had the House not acted so quickly, I think we would have seen a thoughtful and thorough rewrite of the bill. Thus, with appropriate reservations, I support the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.
“Many of my colleagues have, like me, spent countless hours grappling with this issue — the future of stem cell research. How do we balance pro-life positions with the potential for new life and health offered by stem cell research? There is, perhaps, an inclination to avoid such difficult issues, to ignore them and let others debate. But I have come to realize: We must participate in defining research surrounding the culture of life. If not, it will define us.
“Let me close with a cautionary note. Today, I've heard a number of my colleagues, myself included, talk about the potential for healing — the inherent hope — offered by both adult and embryonic stem cell research. But it's important that advocates not oversell this potential for medical treatments. This evolving science is relatively new, and much basic research remains before we can reasonably expect to see clinical trials and possible treatments.
“Finally, let me thank all of my colleagues. We share many, many different view points on stem cell policy and fetal farming. The three bills represent important steps in defining science policy and advancing the practice of medicine. I hope that the votes tomorrow will show there are areas of consensus among us, and that where differences exist, we can respectfully articulate and vote our conscience.
-------------------- Cashing checks in two forms: Money and Reality
GLTA, The Phat Man Posts: 1236 | Registered: Apr 2006
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posted
Jim I am sorry but your way off base on you line of thinking with CLBE but I do respect your opinions.The shares are so thin now that almost any individual buyer or seller will affect the PPS,just try it tomorrow with about $1000 and put a bid in differant from the one we see and see how fast it changes.The MM's have a lot less to work with here and this morning I put a massive buy in in the .05's (790,000 shares) and only got 5k and as you see thru my postings I kept raising it but also provided solid support in the .06's to. I only got just over 500k today out of my target of 800k under .065.The insiders own a boatload which is tied up and many holding now are long for whats the obvious is heading our way due to all the press on adult stem cell issues. Either way I am not sure it will gap since CLBE rarely does but it will be heading north imo.
posted
JIM why have you switched your mood from being for sure with CLBE as a 6 week hold and are now saying we should be careful and not consider CLBE as an investment anymore?
Posts: 1088 | From: Dallas, Texas | Registered: Feb 2006
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By Kristen Philipkoski| Also by this reporter 02:00 AM Jul, 18, 2006
The Senate is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a package of three stem-cell bills. One of them could force President Bush to hand down his first veto.
Discussions in the Senate on Monday involved many impassioned discussions about the moral status of an embryo, some supported by dubious statistics. We've updated our Stem Cell FAQ so you can follow along on C-SPAN and call bullpucky when you hear it.
My feeling still is that the PR will not come out until after today's Senate vote on the stem cell bills. CLBE wants to use the press coverage from that event to push themselves into the public eye. My guess is a late afternoon PR or early AM tomorrow. Just makes no sense to put out a PR this morning in front of the senate vote.
but they would be foolish to not use this nationwide attention with adult stem cell research to their advantage
I wanted to get his opinion, independent of "if" and "when" a PR would be produced, on WHY this stock was trading in the pennies and WHAT is going to move the value of this stock up. Here's what I wrote and his reply:
Paul,
I have been interested specifically in Adult Stem Cell research progress. I've read over the last 5 years that the progress made has gone from "Adult Stem Cells may have benefits...." to now reading about how Adult Stem Cells have corrected the injured spinal cord of a lab rat. I have started buying Calba Tech stock a few months ago for pennies per share. I plan to continue accumulating more but would like your opinion on where this company is heading. I've read about some initiatives, including the launch of the Microbank. I was hoping you may be able to advise why the shares are trading so low and what is going on with Calba Tech that will add value to the stock. Thanks in advance for your reply.
Regards,
His reply -
CalbaTech bought several cash-producing firms (K-D Medical for instance) in its first years of existence to give them revenue for other projects. This includes its stem cell banking project, which is being launched now, a news release on it expected any day now. The potential benefits of stem cells for curing or treating today's intractable diseases are enormous. CalbaTech did a financing which hurt its stock price significantly. It is (we all hope) digging out of that hole. I hope this helps.
Paul Knopick
Two things... (1) He volunteered the whole "news release" bit without me asking. (2) I didn't dig as deep as many here and did not know about the bad financing that took place.
Conclusion - PR will be released "any day now". And, since this is a profitable company now, past bad financing stands a good chance of being resolved. These items, coupled with the future of Adult Stem Cell progress, = dollar land, IMHO.
quote:Originally posted by simpleman: whens the voting going to be over any certain time.
the debate is well underway right now according to reports on theother board.
remember back a few months ago how many sold during the dry period but now the world has changed and this is just the beginning of the season for CLBE and with all the blocks lined up and all the numbers stay correct and if the fundamentals remain inline we are probably looking at and end of year close around .50 or so imo of course......the market is primed for this and its subs and showing a profit will only add to it!
posted
from the other board! Hey - I'm new to this thread but I just wanted to clear up a bunch of misconceptions out there. I work in politics in DC and know what I am talking about. There are three bills out there. One bill would expand federal funding for research using cells derived from embryos. The two other bills the Senate will pass tonight include one steering funding toward stem-cell research that does not involve embryonic cells (the only one everyone in CLBE should care about) and another banning the practice of "fetal farming," the development of embryos for the sole purpose of research.
Bush will only veto the embryonic funding bill!!! He supports the other bills!! Good article from National Journal's Congress Daily - it's subscription so you might not get it.
FYI - Watching C-Span 2 (part of the job) and they are voting right this minute on the only bill that anyone here should care about - financially speaking, that is.
HEALTH Stem Cells Might Be Making Last Appearance In Congress With the Senate set to cast its last stem-cell vote of the year today and a presidential veto a foregone conclusion, backers of expanding embryonic stem-cell research might have a long wait before the issue comes up again. To be sure, supporters of the House-passed stem-cell bill are vowing to continue to press the issue despite the White House and parliamentary roadblocks. "I intend to find any moving vehicle I can, any bill that might be germane, to attach this to," said Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., who authored the House-passed bill with Rep. Michael Castle, R-Del. Democrats also have political reasons for keeping the topic alive: They believe the issue is a political winner for them. "This issue is not going away," said Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions ranking member Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. "There are some issues you cannot get off the national agenda ... this is one of them." But under the consent agreement the Senate adopted for considering the stem-cell bills, no other stem-cell bill or amendment will get a vote in the chamber this year. And some see the Senate outlook under Majority Leader Frist, who supports the embryonic stem-cell bill, as the most favorable for the legislation for the foreseeable future. Frist, who is retiring at the end of this session, is expected to be succeeded by Majority Whip McConnell, who is opposed to the bill, if the GOP maintains the Senate majority. No similar agreement precluding additional stem-cell votes exists in the House, although the chamber's GOP leaders oppose more votes, making it unlikely they would give backers of the bill another chance to bring up the divisive issue. Meanwhile, the Castle-DeGette bill is expected to easily garner the 60 votes later today needed to pass the Senate. But both sides are watching how many more votes it nets: Backers are aiming for a symbolic 67 votes -- the number potentially needed to override a presidential veto -- while opponents are aiming to keep the number low. The House this evening is set to clear two additional stem-cell bills after the Senate passes them. One would ban the practice of "fetal farming," the creation of embryos for research, and the other would direct federal funding to stem cell research that does not rely on embryos. White House Press Secretary Tony Snow today said President Bush will waste no time vetoing the legislation altering the president's 2001 policy restricting research on embryonic stem cell lines once the bill makes its way to the White House. "My understanding is it will be pretty swift," Snow said of the promised veto. Snow said there would be no ceremony marking the veto, though there might be a signing ceremony for the two related stem-cell bills the president supports. -- by Emily Heil
The Senate voted 63-37 to clear HR 810, to expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. President Bush has said he will veto the legislation. When a bill passes both Houses of Congress (House and Senate) it comes to the President and he can either sign it or veto it (a little more complex but the general gist). A veto is basically rejecting a bill. A veto can be overidden but it needs to then pass both Houses with a 2/3 majority (not just a simple majority) - which means 67 votes in the Senate. I severely doubt 4 Senators would switch their votes on this- unless they want to kiss their jobs goodbye. Sorry in advance if you knew what a veto is. Honestly, I know nothing about Canada's government and if you started using terms I was unfamiliar with I would be lost.
The Senate also voted 100-0 to pass S 2754, to encourage/fund research into obtaining stem cells without destroying embryos(aka-adult stem cells). This is what CLBE will live (hopefully quite well), or would have died on. This bill has the President's support and will be signed into law.
The damn adult stem cell bill did not pass because of a procedural obstacle. However, Karl Rove did say Bush would pass it because:
"Bush would veto the embryonic stem-cell bill, Rove says ... Bush said research shows “we have far more promise from adult stem cells than from embryonic stem cells.” ...
GLTA holding here for the big ride with 20K shares. Wish you all the best and most fortunate!
Posts: 19 | From: Raleigh | Registered: Jul 2006
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The damn adult stem cell bill did not pass because of a procedural obstacle. However, Karl Rove did say Bush would pass it because:
"Bush would veto the embryonic stem-cell bill, Rove says ... Bush said research shows “we have far more promise from adult stem cells than from embryonic stem cells.” ...
GLTA holding here for the big ride with 20K shares. Wish you all the best and most fortunate!
what are you reading? There is absolutely nothing in the way now what so ever for adult stem cell R&D,the blocks are for embryonic and the adult stem cells now have the funding options.
from the other board
Quote: Originally Posted by otto I agree that the US Federal Government should not be viewed as the only factor here. If embryonic research makes some strides then money will pour into it from other sources.
Also, IMO, even if the embryonic research funding bill was not going to be vetoed, it would not be catastrophic for adult stem cell companys. But, at least for now, that is a moot point.
This catastrophic stuff is nonsense. Everyone pay attention.
As I understand it, Calbatech has formed their company to be compliment to all stem cell research.
They gained access to the National Institute of Health and major druggies through KD Medical:
Quote: In 2004, we acquired KD Medical, a company in Columbia, Maryland, that supplied research products to more than 300 National Institute of Health (NIH) laboratories, as well as most of the major pharmaceutical companies.
One of their divisions is dedicated to producing delivery systems to provide stem cells to the organs that need it:
Quote: In 2004, we purchased I-Stem from Dr. Jason R. Van Tassell, M.D. I-Stem owned the intellectual property to the Stem Cell Delivery Device, an endoscopic device capable of delivering adult stem cells directly to infarcted cardiac tissue.
Then they began to working on banking adult stem cells:
Quote: Subsequently the Company formed LifeStem, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary, to further I-Stem as well as to enter the new emerging field of banking adult stem cells for autologous use.
Quote: We therefore developed the process of harvesting stem cells in micro quantities to be cryopreserved for future transplantation into the client.
Quote: LifeStem's Adult Stem Cell MicroBank(TM) is the only company to offer "micro" collections of stem cells from two different tissue sources thereby offering greater potential for treatments for multiple diseased conditions.
Then they began spreading their collection sites, first with
Quote: To this end, in December 2005, we signed a distribution agreement with Solana MedSpas, a developer and syndicator of medical spas, with 25 medspas currently open and operating and plans for more than 50 additional locations to open during 2006.
Also with:
Quote: We are also working to contract with physician's offices to carry our Stem Cell MicroBank(TM) Service and believe that cosmetic surgeons, cardiologists, and orthopedists will be excellent distribution sites.
We are talking about a company that is very well placed for what some have called the only significant technological revolution since the microchip.
There is no catastrophy save the promise of stem cells never bearing fruit.
posted
My position has not changed at all for CLBE,simple due diligence in the company may show you why I believe it will close THIS year out at or above .50 and imo will be trading between $2 and $4 a share within 18 to 24 months if not sooner.
posted
level 2 now showing .15's in the line up! anyone who doesn't buy into CLBE or any other decent adult stem cell stock after all the BUZZ going on is making a big mistake even for a short term play but for the most part the best in mid to long term!
posted
Jesus Quest, what do you think I am reading?....the article from the pasted link. It stated yesterday that the embryonic passed but will be vetoed, the fetal farming passed and will go through BUT the adult stem cell didn't pass but WILL be voted on again this morning and will likely pass the house. I thought you did a thorough DD? I was just stating facts. I am long and wish us all the best!
Posts: 19 | From: Raleigh | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
The Senate also voted 100-0 to pass S 2754, to encourage/fund research into obtaining stem cells without destroying embryos(aka-adult stem cells). This is what CLBE will live (hopefully quite well), or would have died on. This bill has the President's support and will be signed into law.
posted
from the other board! Hey - I'm new to this thread but I just wanted to clear up a bunch of misconceptions out there. I work in politics in DC and know what I am talking about. There are three bills out there. One bill would expand federal funding for research using cells derived from embryos. The two other bills the Senate will pass tonight include one steering funding toward stem-cell research that does not involve embryonic cells (the only one everyone in CLBE should care about) and another banning the practice of "fetal farming," the development of embryos for the sole purpose of research.
Bush will only veto the embryonic funding bill!!! He supports the other bills!! Good article from National Journal's Congress Daily - it's subscription so you might not get it.
FYI - Watching C-Span 2 (part of the job) and they are voting right this minute on the only bill that anyone here should care about - financially speaking, that is.
HEALTH Stem Cells Might Be Making Last Appearance In Congress With the Senate set to cast its last stem-cell vote of the year today and a presidential veto a foregone conclusion, backers of expanding embryonic stem-cell research might have a long wait before the issue comes up again. To be sure, supporters of the House-passed stem-cell bill are vowing to continue to press the issue despite the White House and parliamentary roadblocks. "I intend to find any moving vehicle I can, any bill that might be germane, to attach this to," said Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., who authored the House-passed bill with Rep. Michael Castle, R-Del. Democrats also have political reasons for keeping the topic alive: They believe the issue is a political winner for them. "This issue is not going away," said Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions ranking member Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. "There are some issues you cannot get off the national agenda ... this is one of them." But under the consent agreement the Senate adopted for considering the stem-cell bills, no other stem-cell bill or amendment will get a vote in the chamber this year. And some see the Senate outlook under Majority Leader Frist, who supports the embryonic stem-cell bill, as the most favorable for the legislation for the foreseeable future. Frist, who is retiring at the end of this session, is expected to be succeeded by Majority Whip McConnell, who is opposed to the bill, if the GOP maintains the Senate majority. No similar agreement precluding additional stem-cell votes exists in the House, although the chamber's GOP leaders oppose more votes, making it unlikely they would give backers of the bill another chance to bring up the divisive issue. Meanwhile, the Castle-DeGette bill is expected to easily garner the 60 votes later today needed to pass the Senate. But both sides are watching how many more votes it nets: Backers are aiming for a symbolic 67 votes -- the number potentially needed to override a presidential veto -- while opponents are aiming to keep the number low. The House this evening is set to clear two additional stem-cell bills after the Senate passes them. One would ban the practice of "fetal farming," the creation of embryos for research, and the other would direct federal funding to stem cell research that does not rely on embryos. White House Press Secretary Tony Snow today said President Bush will waste no time vetoing the legislation altering the president's 2001 policy restricting research on embryonic stem cell lines once the bill makes its way to the White House. "My understanding is it will be pretty swift," Snow said of the promised veto. Snow said there would be no ceremony marking the veto, though there might be a signing ceremony for the two related stem-cell bills the president supports. -- by Emily Heil
3 bills were in yesterday. Senate passed all of them! The three were Embryonic, Fetal Farming and Adult! Embryonic passed the house and senate but WILL get vetoed. Fetal farming passed Congress and will be signed into law. The adult passed the Senate (yes I agree on the vote Quest) but did not pass the house:
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