Candidate Positions on Federal Funding of Embryonic Stem Cell Research
What this Guide Contains:
Welcome to the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) information report on candidate positions. CAMR is committed to lifting the restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research and to informing our members on where each candidate stands on this issue. On September 21, 2006 we sent a letter to every candidate for federal office in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. This guide contains both the responses from candidates explaining their position as well as information on how incumbent legislators voted on key stem cell bills over the past two years.
A Letter from the Candidates We sent each candidate a suggested letter which some chose to sign to show their support for federal funding of embryonic stem cell research, while others responded with a letter in their own words. When appropriate, we note those who signed the suggested CAMR letter highlighted in green. Signing this letter indicates full support for federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. A copy of our suggested letter is available in this report for your information. We also include the full text of letters from candidates who sent us something different than the CAMR letter. Read these responses closely, some candidates may support CAMR's position, while others do not.
SUGGESTED LETTER
Sean Tipton President CAMR (Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research) 2021 K Street, NW Suite 305 Washington , DC 20006
Dear Mr. Tipton, I believe in the promise that embryonic stem cell research offers to end the suffering of 100 million patients with cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and other debilitating diseases and disorders.
I support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. I promise to vote in favor of legislation, such as H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, that would lift restrictions on federal funding for this important research.
Signed
Candidate Signature
Information on Key Votes We also provide information about how the incumbents, (those legislators who are currently in office and are seeking re-election), voted on key stem cell issues. Because the challengers were not in office and not able to vote, the best way to gather information about their position is to review the letter they sent to CAMR. The key votes that we provide information about in this guide are:
House of Representatives Vote on May 24, 2005: This was a vote to pass H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act in the House of Representatives. This bill lifts restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. CAMR's position is in favor of this bill and a "yes" vote. The bill passed the House by a vote of 238-194.
House of Representatives Vote on July 19, 2006: This was a vote to override the Presidential veto of H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, in the House of Representatives. CAMR's position is in favor of the override and a "yes" vote. The vote did not achieve the two-thirds majority necessary to override a veto and so H.R. 810 is blocked from becoming law.
Senate Vote on July 18, 2006: This was a vote to pass H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act in the Senate. This bill lifts restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. CAMR's position is in favor of this bill and a "yes" vote. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 63-37.
To see how your Representative or Senator voted on all of the above, please click here.
As we collect data, this section will become very large. Please use the state drop down menu to refine your search.
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ALABAMA
Senate No Senate race in 2006.
House 1st District Jo Bonner (R) Incumbent
2nd District Terry Everett (R) Incumbent
3rd District Michael Rogers (R) Incumbent
4th District Robert Aderholt (R) Incumbent
5th District Robert “Bud” Cramer (D) Incumbent Voted for HR810 Voted to override Veto
6th District Spencer Bachus (R) Incumbent
7th District Artur Davis (D) Incumbent Voted for HR810 Voted to override Veto
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ALASKA
Senate No Senate race in 2006.
House 1st District Don Young (R) Incumbent Voted for HR810 Voted to Override Veto
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ARIZONA
Senate Jon Kyl (R) Incumbent House 1st District Richard Renzi (R) Incumbent
2nd District Trent Franks (R) Incumbent
3rd District John Shadegg (R) Incumbent
4th District Ed Pastor (D) Incumbent Voted for HR 810 Voted to Override Veto
5th District Harry Mitchell (D) Challenger Received following response: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to relay my position on embryonic stem cell research. It is an issue that is very important to me and an issue I've been talking about frequently on the campaign trail.
Today, the Arizona Republic published an op-ed piece I wrote regarding this very issue. I would like to submit it as my response to your inquiry. I've attached the op-ed as it appeared today. You can also view it by visiting the Arizona Republic web site at http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/northeastvalleyopinions/articles/0925sr-mitchell0925.html. The text of the op-ed is 500 words.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to address this important issue.
6th District Jeff Flake (R) Incumbent
7th District Raul Grijalva (D) Incumbent Voted for HR 810 Voted to Override Veto Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
8th District Gabrielle Giffords (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
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ARKANSAS
Senate No Senate race in 2006.
House 1st District Marion Berry (D) Incumbent Voted for HR 810 Voted to Override Veto
2nd District Vic Snyder (D) Incumbent Voted for HR 810 Voted to Override Veto
3rd District John Boozman (R) Incumbent No Response
4th District Mike Ross (D) Incumbent Voted for HR 810 Voted to Override Veto
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CALIFORNIA
Senate Dianne Feinstein (D) Incumbent Co-Author of the Senate Version of HR 810 (S.471)
House 1st District Mike Thompson (D) Incumbent Voted for HR 810 Voted to Override Veto
2nd District Wally Herger (R) Incumbent
3rd District Dan Lungren (R) Incumbent
4th District John Doolittle (R) Incumbent No Response
5th District Doris Matsui (D) Incumbent Voted for HR 810 Voted to Override Veto Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
6th District Lynn Woolsey (D) Incumbent Voted for HR 810 Voted to Override Veto
7th District George Miller (D) Incumbent Voted for HR810 Voted to Override Veto
8th District Nancy Pelosi (D) Incumbent Voted to Override Veto
9th District Barbara Lee (D) Incumbent No Response
10th District Ellen Tauscher (D) Incumbent No Response
11th District Jerry McNerney (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
12th District Tom Lantos (D) Incumbent No Response
13th District Pete Stark (D) Incumbent Received following response: Stem cell research holds the promise to end the suffering of millions of patients with cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Diabetes, spinal cord injuries, and other debilitating diseases and disorders.
Therefore, I support federal funding for all forms of embryonic stem cell research. I commit to vote in favor of legislation, such as HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, that would lift restrictions on federal funding for this vital research.
14th District Anna Eshoo (D) Incumbent Received following response: Embryonic stem cell research offers hope to patients and families with such diseases as cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and other disorders.
I was an original cosponsor of HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, which allows federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, and permits researchers to utilize embryos from fertility clinics that would otherwise be discarded. The bill also brings embryonic stem cell research under the National Institutes of Health (NIH), ensuring rigorous controls and ethical guidelines on the research that only NIH can implement.
HR 810 passed the House on May 24, 2005 by a vote of 238 to 194, and the Senate on July 18, 2006, by a vote of 63 to 37. The President vetoed the bill on Wednesday, July 19, 2006, prompting the House to consider a veto override proposal. A two-thirds vote in both chambers of Congress was required to overturn the President's veto. The veto override failed the House by a vote of 235 to 193.
The President's veto of HR 810 represents an exercise of political science over real science and must not be allowed to stand.
15th District Mike Honda (D) Incumbent No Response
16th District Zoe Lofgren (D) Incumbent Received following response: I support stem cell research as my voting record shows.
17th District Sam Farr (D) Incumbent No Response
18th District Dennis Cardoza (D) Incumbent No Response
19th District George Radanovich (R) Incumbent No Response
20th District Jim Costa (D) Incumbent No Response
21st District Devin Nunes (R) Incumbent No Response
22nd District Kevin McCarthy (R) Challenger No Response
23rd District Lois Capps (D) Incumbent No Response
24th District Elton Gallegly (R) Incumbent No Response
25th District Howard “Buck” McKeon (R) Incumbent No Response
26th District David Dreier (R) Incumbent No Response
27th District Brad Sherman (D) Incumbent Received following response: I am writing to inform you that I strongly support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. I was an original cosponsor of HR801, The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, and voted to override President Bush's veto of this legislation.
28th District Howard Berman (D) Incumbent No Response
29th District Adam Schiff (D) Incumbent No Response
30th District Henry Waxman (D) Incumbent No Response
31st District Xavier Becerra (D) Incumbent No Response
32nd District Hilda Solis (D) Incumbent No Response
33rd District Diane Watson (D) Incumbent No Response
34th District Lucille Roybal-Allard (D) Incumbent No Response
35th District Maxine Waters (D) Incumbent No Response
36th District Jane Harman (D) Incumbent No Response
37th District Juanita Millender-McDonald (D) Incumbent No Response
38th District Grace Napolitano (D) Incumbent No Response
39th District Linda Sanchez (D) Incumbent No Response
40th District Ed Royce (R) Incumbent No Response
41st District Jerry Lewis (R) Incumbent No Response
42nd District Gary Miller (R) Incumbent No Response
43rd District Joe Baca (D) Incumbent No Response
44th District Ken Calvert (R) Incumbent No Response
45th District Mary Bono (R) Incumbent No Response
46th District Dana Rohrabacher (R) Incumbent No Response
47th District Loretta Sanchez (D) Incumbent No Response
48th District John Campbell (R) Incumbent No Response
49th District Darrell Issa (R) Incumbent No Response
50th District Brian Bilbray (R) Incumbent No Response
51st District Bob Filner (D) Incumbent No Response
52nd District Duncan Hunter (R) Incumbent No Response
53rd District Susan Davis (D) Incumbent No Response
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COLORADO
Senate No Senate race in 2006.
House 1st District Diana Degette (D) Incumbent Co-authored HR 810 Received following response: Embryonic stem cell research has the potential to provide treatments and cures for diseases that affect millions of Americans. Like you, I believe that the federal government should adequately fund this research. That is why I introduced HR 810, the "Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act" with my colleague, Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) last year. This legislation expands the President's current stem cell policy and places strict ethical requirements on the research. I am committed to allowing science to determine the progress of this research and will continue to work aggressively to ensure that HR 810 is passed into law.
Every day, millions suffer from cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and other debilitating diseases and disorders. We must do everything in our power to end this suffering as quickly as possible.
2nd District Mark Udall (D) Incumbent Received following response: Thank you for asking about my position regarding federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. I appreciate having this opportunity to share my views.
I cosponsored H.R. 810, the “Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005,” voted for its passage by the House of Representatives (Roll Call No. 204, May 24, 2005) and voted to override President Bush’s veto of the legislation (Roll Call No. 388, July 19, 2006).
I was disappointed that President Bush chose to veto this important legislation, and especially disappointed that it had too few supporters in the House of Representatives to override that veto.
If I am reelected, I will continue to work to relax the current restrictions on federal funding to support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, and will support legislation (like H.R. 810 that authorizes such research involving embryos that: (1) have been donated from in vitro fertilization clinics; (2) were created for the purposes of fertility treatment; (3) were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment and would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded (as determined in consultation with the individuals seeking fertility treatment); and (4) were donated by such individuals with written informed consent and without any financial or other inducements.
Thank you again for asking about my views on this important subject.
3rd District John Salazar (D) Incumbent
4th District Marilyn Musgrave (R) Incumbent No Response
5th District Douglas Lamborn (R) Challenger 6th District Tom Tancredo (R) Incumbent No Response
7th District Ed Purlmutter (D) Challenger Received following response: I am a strong proponent of stem cell research. It is without equivocation that I would support Rep. DeGette and Rep. Castle’s bill (H.R. 810) to further the advancement of this emerging form of bio-medical research.
As of a father of a daughter with epilepsy, this is a very personal topic for my family. So much so that I decided to focus my very first campaign commercial on the topic (to view the ad please visit http://perlmutter2006.com/node/179). Thus, I am disappointed with the President’s decision to use his very first veto on HR 810.
My opponent and I are miles apart on the topic of stem cell research. He would support President Bush’s veto and deny hope for millions of American’s suffering from debilitating medical conditions. It is time we set partisan politics aside and do everything we can to invest in this potentially life-saving research.
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CONNECTICUT
Senate Joseph Lieberman (I) Incumbent
House 1st District John Larson (D) Incumbent No Response
2nd District Joseph Courtney (D) Challenger
3rd District Rosa DeLauro (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
4th District Christopher Shays Incumbent No Response
5th District Christopher Murphy (D) Challenger No Response
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DELAWARE
Senate Tom Carper (D) Incumbent No Response
House 1st District Michael Castle (R) Incumbent Co-Authored HR810 Received following response: As you know, I have been the lead Republican author of letters urging the President to change his stem cell policy, garnering over 200 signatures, as well as the lead Republican author of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement ACtin both the 108th and 109th Congress. As a leader of the House Republican Moderates, I worked with fellow colleagues includine Representatives Johnson, Kirk and Bass, to secure a vote on the House floor, which took place on May 24, 2005. As you know, we were successful in gettnig 50 Republicans to vote for this legislation, as well as a number of Committee Chairs-- despite White House opposition and Republican Leadership opposition. I continued my efforts in pushing for Senate passage of this legislation as well, through letters, phone calls and meetings with key Senators.
While I shared everyone's joy in Senate passage of HR810, I also shared the disappointment when President Bush vetoed the legislation the very next day. I believe this was a very grave mistake.
In moving forward, I plan to continue my efforts to expand the federal embryonic stem cell research policy by working with private foundations and introducing new legislation in the upcoming Congress. It is my hope to conitue my efforts alongside the Coalition for the Advancemen of Medical Research - so we may educate all Members of Congress about the true promise of this science.
I think it is easy to say, that there is no Republican in the House of Representatives that has worked harder or expended more political capital on this issue than me. I look forward to continuing to work with you on issues of mutual interest.
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FLORIDA
Senate Bill Nelson (D) Incumbent No Response
House 1st District Jefferson Miller (R) Incumbent No Response
2nd District F. Allen Boyd (D) Incumbent No Response
3rd District Corrine Brown (D) Incumbent No Response
4th District Bob Harms (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
5th District Virginia Brown-Waite (R) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
6th District Clifford Stearns (R) Incumbent No Response
7th District John Mica (R) Incumbent No Response
8th District Ric Keller (R) Incumbent No Response
9th District Michael Gus Bilirakis (R) Incumbent No Response
10th District C. W. Bill Young (R) Incumbent No Response
11th District Katherine Castor (D) Challenger No Response
12th District Adam Putnam (R) Incumbent No Response
13th District Vernon Buchanan (R) Challenger No Response
14th District Connie Mack (R) Incumbent No Response
15th District Dave Weldon (R) Incumbent No Response
16th District Timothy Mahoney (D) Challenger No Response
17th District Kendrick Meek (D) Incumbent No Response
18th District Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R) Incumbent No Response
19th District Robert Wexler (D) Incumbent No Response
20th District Debbie Wasserman-Schulz (D) Incumbent No Response
21st District Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R) Incumbent No Response
22nd District Ron Klein (D) Challenger No Response
3rd District Alcee Hastings (D) Incumbent No Response
24th District Tom Feeney (R) Incumbent No Response
25th District Mario Diaz-Balart (R) Incumbent No Response
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GEORGIA
Senate No Senate race in 2006.
House 1st District Jack Kingston (R) Incumbent No Response
2nd District Sanford Bishop (D) Incumbent Received following response: Thank you for working to expand embryonic stem cell research. I believe that embryonic stem cell research holds great promise in ending the suffering of tens of millions of people.
As a member of Congress, I continue to support federal funding for and expanded access to embryonic stem cell research. As you may be aware, I am a co-sponsor of HR810, the Stem Cell Researh Enhancement Act, which moves us forward by expanding federal funding for this important research by reversing current federal policy restricting federal funding to stem cell lines already in existence. Specifically, HR810 authorizes federally-funded stem cell research on embryos to be discarded from in-vitro fertilization clinics pursuant to prior consent by donors. It is necessary legislation that balances the need for this important research with the appropriate ethical safeguards and guidelines.
Rest assured that I will continue to work to improve mortality rates and end suffering through the support of this important research.
3rd District Lynn Westmoreland (R) Challenger No Response
4th District Henry Johnson (D) Challenger No Response
5th District John Lewis (D) Incumbent No Response
6th District Thomas Price (R) Incumbent No Response
7th District John Linder (R) Incumbent No Response
8th District Michael Collins (R) Challenger No Response
9th District Nathan Deal (R) Incumbent No Response
10th District Charlie Norwood (R) Incumbent No Response
11th District Phil Gingrey (R) Incumbent No Response
12th District Max Burns (R) Challenger No Response
13th District David Scott (D) Incumbent No Response
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HAWAII
Senate Daniel Akaka (D) Incumbent No Response
1st District Neil Abercrombie (D) Incumbent No Response
2nd District Mazie Hirono (D) Challenger No Response
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IDAHO
Senate No Senate race in 2006
House 1st District Bill Sali (R) Challenger No Response
2nd District Michael Simpson (R) Incumbent No Response
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ILLINOIS
Senate No Senate race in 2006.
House 1st District Bobby Rush (D) Incumbent No Response
2nd District Jesse Jackson Jr. (D) Incumbent No Response
3rd District Daniel Lipinski (D) Incumbent No Response
4th District Luis Gutierrez (D) Incumbent No Response
5th District Rahm Emanuel (D) Incumbent No Response
6th District Peter Roskam (R) Challenger No Response
7th District Danny Davis (D) Incumbent No Response
8th District Melissa Bean (D) Incumbent No Response
9th District Janice Schakowsky (D) Incumbent No Response
10th District Mark Kirk (R) Incumbent No Response
11th District Jerry Weller (R) Incumbent No Response
12th District Jerry Costello (D) Incumbent No Response
13th District Judy Biggert (R) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
14th District J. Dennis Hastert (R) Incumbent No Response
15th District Tim Johnson (R) Incumbent No Response
16th District Donald Manzullo (R) Incumbent No Response
17th District Phil Hare (R) Challenger No Response
18th District Ray LaHood (R) Incumbent No Response
19th District John Shimkus (R) Incumbent No Response
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INDIANA
Senate Richard Lugar (R) Incumbent No Response
House 1st District Peter Visclosky (D) Incumbent No Response
2nd District Joe Donnelly (D) Challenger No Response
3rd District Mark Souder (R) Incumbent No Response
4th District Steve Buyer (R) Incumbent No Response
5th District Dan Burton (R) Incumbent No Response
6th District Mike Pence (R) Incumbent No Response
7th District Julia Carson (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
8th District Brad Ellsworth (D) Challenger No Response
9th District Baron Hill (D) Challenger No Response
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IOWA
Senate No Senate race in 2006.
House 1st District Bruce Braley (D) Challenger No Response
2nd District David Loebsack (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
3rd District Leonard Boswell (D) Incumbent No Response
4th District Tom Latham (R) Incumbent No Response
5th District Steve King (R) Incumbent No Response
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KANSAS
Senate No Senate race in 2006.
House 1st District Jerry Moran (R) Incumbent No Response
2nd District Nancy Boyda (D) Challenger No Response
3rd District Dennis Moore (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Received following response: I am a cosponsor of HR810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement ACt, and voted to override the President's veto because I believe the potential to improve lives with stem cell research is too great to dismiss.
The potential human health and scientific benefits of stem cell research are staggering in their promise. I believe that with greater federal support American scientists will be able to harness this groundbreaking technology to save many lives and improve the quality of others. Dennis Moore 4th District Todd Tiahrt (R) Incumbent No Response
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KENTUCKY
Senate No Senate race in 2006.
House 1st District Edward Whitfield (R) Incumbent No Response
2nd District Ron Lewis (R) Incumbent No Response
3rd District John Yarmuth (D) Challenger No Response
4th District Geoffrey Davis (R) Incumbent No Response
5th District Harold Rogers (R) Incumbent No Response
6th District Albert Chandler (D) Incumbent No Response
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LOUISANA
Senate No Senate race in 2006.
House Congressional Primary date – 11/7/06
1st District Bobby Jindal (R) Incumbent No Response
2nd District William Jefferson (D) Incumbent No Response
3rd District Charlie Melancon (D) Incumbent No Response
4th District Jim McCrery (R) Incumbent No Response
5th District Rodney Alexander (R) Incumbent No Response
6th District Richard Baker (R) Incumbent No Response
7th District Charles Boustany (R) Incumbent No Response
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MAINE
Senate Olympia Snowe (R) Incumbent No Response
House 1st District Thomas Allen (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter with following addendum: I support human embryonic stem cell research. Embryonic stem cell research offers promise to millions of Americans suffering from spinal cord injuries and chronic illnesses including cancer, Parkinson's disease, Lou Gehrig's disease and diabetes.
Unfortunately, these potential advances have been stymied by a victory of politics over science. Joined by a majority of my colleagues in the House, I voted for HR 810 on May 24, 2005. On July 19, 2006 President Bush vetoed HR 810. Despite the fact that it had been approved with strong bipartisan votes in both Houses of Congress, supporters fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto.
The bill would have greatly expanded the number of human embryonic stem cell lines (that is, cell cultures derived from embryonic stem cells) that can be used in federally funded medical research. Under a policy President Bush announced five years ago, only then-existing stem cell lines could be used in federally supported research. The number of usable stem cell lines that meet these criteria today stands at a mere 21 and will continue to drop as chromosomal abnormalities inevitably develop in the stem cell lines over time.
I do not believe that Congress or the Adminstration should prohibit the medical community from pursuing a promising avenue of research that may improve the lives of millions of Americans. I am deeply disappointed that President Bush has chosen to issue his first veto on legislation that received wide, bipartisan support. The politicization of this issue threatens to undermine groundbreaking research, impede science and jeapordize the health and well-being of helpless victims and their families. Please rest assured that I will continue to fight in Congress for embryonic stem cell research.
2nd District Michael Michaud (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
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MARYLAND
Senate Benjamin Cardin (D) Challenger No Response
House 1st District Wayne Gilchrest (R) Incumbent No Response
2nd District C.A. Ruppersberger (D) Incumbent No Response
3rd District John Sarbanes (D) Challenger Received following response: I believe in the promise that embryonic stem cell research offers to end the suffering of the more than 100 million patients with cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, and other debilitating diseases and disorders. While I strongly oppose human cloning, I passionately support federally funding embryonic stem cell research.
I promise to vote in favor of legislation, such as H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, that would lift restrictions on federal funding for this important research. This legislation paves the way to fundamental discoveries that could save or improve countless lives. I will work in the Congress to ensure that the Federal government plays a key role in supporting basic and clinical embryonic stem cell research.
If we are serious about advancing both the quality of health care and reducing costs, we must tap the full power of modern science. I urge President Bush to change his current embryonic stem cell policies, so researchers can access more embryonic stem cell lines. Without such changes, U.S. scientists and patients are at an extreme disadvantage in the global scientific community. We can no longer delay this critical scientific work.
4th District Albert Wynn (D) Incumbent Received following response: Scientific research suggests that stem cells hold the key to treatments and even cures for some of our most degenerative diseases. Accordingly, I believe in the promise that embryonic stem cell research offers to end the suffering of over 100 million people with cancer, Parkinson's, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and other debiliating diseases and disorders. I also support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research and I promise to vote in favor of legislation such as the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act HR 810) that would lift abitrary restrictions on federal funding for this critical research.
On July 19, 2006 President Bush rejected this critical legislation that could have multiplied the federal money going into embryonic stem cell research, using the first veto of his presidency to emphasize his stand on the emotionally charged issue. As an original cosponsor of HR 810, I joined my colleagues in attempting to override the Presiden'ts veto. Unfortunately, the House fell 51 votes short of the required two-fifths majority to override the President's veto.
It is a shame that political alliance blocked critical Federal funding for sound science. Embryonic stem cells hold great promise for millions of Americans suffering from debilitating conditions and illnesses. While opponents of stem cell research view the issue as a traditional "sanctity of life" question, what occurred on the 19th wasnot a pro-life victory. Rather, it was the devastating consequence of pitting sound science against conservative politics. I will continue to work with my colleagues to promote unpoliticized science and hopefully remove these harmful restrictions on potentially lifesaving research.
5th District Steny Hoyer (D) Incumbent No Response
6th District Roscoe Bartlett (R) Incumbent No Response
7th District Elijah Cummings (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter Was an original cosponsor of HR810.
8th District Chris Van Hollen (D) Incumbent No Response
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MASSACHUSETTS
Senate Edward Kennedy (D) Incumbent Co-Author of the Senate Version of HR 810 (S.471)
House 1st District John Olver (D) Incumbent No Response
2nd District Richard Neal (D) Incumbent No Response
3rd District James McGovern (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter Was an original co-sponsor of HR810
4th District Barney Frank (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Received following response: I must confess that I was a little puzzled to recieve a questionnaire from you asking whether or not I plan to vote in favor of "legislation such as HR 810" since I recently voted in favor not just of a legislation such as HR 810, but in fact, HR 810 itself. The answer is that I fully support stem cell research , I oppose government restrictions on this form of research and I will continue to do everything I can to promote the cause of health research unhindered by other people's ideological or religous objections. People have every right to abstain from research themselves, but not to impose their own particular religious views in ways that would interfere with other people's ability to do research that will be helpful to us.
5th District Martin Meehan (D) Incumbent No Response
6th District John Tierney (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter Was a Co-Sponsor of HR810
7th District Edward Markey (D) Incumbent No Response
8th District Michael Capuano (D) Incumbent No Response
9th District Stephen Lynch (D) Incumbent No Response
10th District Bill Delahunt (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
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MICHIGAN
Senate Deborah Stabenow (D) Incumbent Received following response: Thank you for contacting me regarding your support for embryonic stem cell research. I share your views about this issue.
President Bush banned federal funding of embryonic stem cell research on all but a small number of cell lines developed before August 2001. The few stem cell lines eligible for federal funding are mostly unsuitable for research. The President is tying the hands of scientists and impeding their progress on treatments and cures for diseases affecting our loved ones.
In an effort to overturn President Bush’s limitations, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act on July 18, 2006. I proudly supported this legislation that would have given hope to millions of Americans suffering from deadly diseases. Unfortunately, President Bush vetoed this bipartisan bill, which would have greatly expanded federal funding for embryonic stem cell research under strict ethical guidelines. Stem cells could only be derived from freely-donated embryos that would otherwise be destroyed.
You can count on my continued support of embryonic stem cell research, with very strong ethical guidelines, because of its promise for finding cures and creating better treatments for many serious diseases and injuries that affect our families.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to do so again if I can be of assistance to you in the future.
Sincerely, Debbie Stabenow
House 1st District Bart Stupak (D) Incumbent No Response
2nd District Peter Hoekstra (R) Incumbent No Response
3rd District Vernon Ehlers (R) Incumbent No Response
4th District Dave Camp (R) Incumbent No Response
5th District Dale Kildee (D) Incumbent No Response
6th District Fred Upton (R) Incumbent No Response
7th District Timothy Walberg (R) Challenger No Response
8th District Mike Rogers (R) Incumbent No Response
9th District Joe Knollenberg (R) Incumbent No Response
10th District Candice Miller (R) Incumbent No Response
11th District Thaddeus McCotter (R) Incumbent No Response
12th District Sander Levin (D) Incumbent Received following response: Thank you for contacting me in support of stem cell research. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.
I completely agree with you. As you probably know, HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, recently passed both the House and Senate before being vetoed by the President. On July 19, 2006, I cast my vote to override the President's veto and remove this barrier to promising scientific research. Unfortunately, the bill failed to get the two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto.
Be assured that I will continue to do everything I can to advocate for stem cell research and to support medical breakthroughs in this groundbreaking arena. Thanks again for sharing your view on this issue. Following are my remarks from the floor debate to override the President's veto.
Mr. Speaker, this institution is often called the people's House and today I ask my colleagues to stand in the shoes of the millions of people dealing with incurable or debilitating diseases. Diseases such as juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, or cancer. Diseases that impact them every day ..... their plans for the future. Let us stand with them today and vote to override the President's veto of the medical research that holds the potential to find a treatment to improve their lives, or, over time, a cure.
The U.S. House has approved this legislation. The Senate has approved this legislation. The reason the American people--72 percent of them in public surveys--support the Federal Government proceeding with this legislation is because in virtually every family there is a life experience with the need for medical breakthroughs.
We can never guarantee the results of scientific research, but without it we guarantee there can be no results.
The President's stem cell policy is not working. Of the 78 existing stem cell lines permitted for use in federally funded research, only 22 of these lines are currently used for research, and many have raised concerns that these lines are genetically unstable, contaminated, and harder to work with than newer lines. Research is practically at a standstill in this country.
The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act is a well-crafted, bipartisan approach. It is opposed with false arguments that divide Americans when what is involved is an expansion of research on embryonic stem cell lines derived from surplus embryos that were originally created for fertility treatments purposes, are in excess of clinical need and would otherwise be discarded, and have been donated by the individuals seeking fertility treatment through written consent and without any financial involvement.
Let us override the President's veto and take these vitals steps to tap into the promise of research that has the potential to change the face of modern medicine as we know it today. That is a human value that should not be undermined by the people's representatives.
13th District Carolyn Kilpatrick (D) Incumbent Received following response: Thank you for your letter regarding embryonic stem cell research. I welcome the opportunity to respond.
I strongly support stem cell research. I voted to support the veto override of HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. This bipartisan legislation would have expanded federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Congress approved HR 810. However, despite the measure passing both chambers of Congress, the President vetoed the legislation, the first of his presidency.
Federal funding for embryonic stem cell research would enable further research to examine many new lines of stem cells - increasing the potential for cures. Each year 8,000 to 10,000 embryos creatred for in-vitro fertilization are destroyed. HR 810 would have allowed research of stem cells, which scientists believe could yield cures for diseases and injuries, to be harvested from surplus frozen embryos that are stored at fertility clinics and slated for destruction. Human embryonic stem cells are prized because they can replicate themselves and become almost any type of human tissue.
President Bush's veto stopped this bill from becoming law. The veto ignored our country's healthcare needs and has slowed the potential to eradicate life threatening and chronic diseases.
I will continue to support legislation that would lift restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research and reaffirm Congress' support of life saving medical research.
14th District John Conyers (D) Incumbent No Response
15th District John Dingell (D) Incumbent Received following response: Thank you for your letter regarding HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2006. When the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader allowed for this bill to be brought before the full House for debate and vote, I voted with the majority of my colleagues for passage of this bill. It passed the House by a vote of 238-94. This bill also passed the United States Senate by a vote of 63-37. Yet, the President chose to wield the Adminstration's first veto against this important legislation.
I voted to override the President's veto. Unfortunately, the bill did not received the two-thirds majority of voting members to override the veto. HR 810 failed 235-193. The bill has been sent back to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for further consideration.
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MINNESOTA
Senate Amy Klobuchar (D) Challenger No Response
House 1st District Timothy Walz (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
2nd District John Kline (R) Incumbent No Response
3rd District Jim Ramstad (R) Incumbent No Response
4th District Betty McCollum (D) Incumbent No Response
5th District Keith Ellison (Democrat Farm Labor) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
6th District Michele Bachmann (R) Challenger No Response
7th District Collin Peterson (D) Incumbent No Response
8th District James Oberstar (D) Incumbent No Response
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MISSISSIPPI
Senate Trent Lott (R) Incumbent No Response
House 1st District Roger Wicker (R) Incumbent No Response
2nd District Bennie Thompson (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
3rd District Charles Pickering (R) Incumbent No Response
4th District Gene Taylor (D) Incumbent No Response
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MISSOURI
Senate Claire McCaskill (D) Challenger No Response
House 1st District William Clay (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
2nd District Todd Akin (R) Incumbent No Response
3rd District Russ Carnahan (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
4th District Ike Skelton (D) Incumbent Responded that he does not have the time to answer questionnaires, but encourages people to examine his voting record on the issue.
5th District Emanuel Cleaver (D) Incumbent No Response
6th District Samuel Graves (R) Incumbent No Response
7th District Roy Blunt (R) Incumbent No Response
8th District Jo Ann Emerson (R) Incumbent No Response
9th District Kenny Hulshof (R) Incumbent No Response
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MONTANA
Senate Jon Tester (D) Challenger Received following response: As a third generation Montanan, I believe we have a responsibility to do everything within our means to help a sick neighbor. We must devote every possible resource to the promise that embryonic stem cell research offers to ending the suffering of 100 million patients with cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and other debilitating diseases and disorders.
I support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. I promise to vote in favor of legislation, such as H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, that would lift restrictions on federal funding for this important research.
House 1st District Dennis Rehberg (R) Incumbent No Response
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NEBRASKA
Senate Ben Nelson (D) Incumbent No Response
Pete Ricketts (R) Challenger No Response
House 1st District Jeff Fortenberry (R) Incumbent No Response
2nd District Lee Terry (R) Incumbent No Response
3rd District Adrian Smith (R) Challenger No Response
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NEVADA
Senate John Ensign (R) Incumbent No Response
House 1st District Shelley Berkley (D) Incumbent No Response
2nd District Dean Heller (R) Challenger No Response
3rd District Jon Porter (R) Incumbent No Response
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NEW HAMPSHIRE
Senate No Senate race in 2006.
House 1st District Carol Shea-Porter (D) Challenger No Response
2nd District Paul Hodes (D) Challenger No Response
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NEW JERSEY
Senate Robert Menendez (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Received following response: As the son of a parent suffering from Alzheimer’s, I know the pain of an incurable disease, and the hope that stem cell research brings. I have and will continue to fight to end the suffering of 100 million patients with cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and other debilitating diseases and disorders.
I strongly support the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, which would end President Bush’s ban on federal funding for additional stem cell research. In fact, I had the honor to show my support for the bill in both houses of Congress. I was an original cosponsor of the bill in the House and voted for the bill in May 2005. Then when I became a Senator, I cosponsored the bill again and voted for the bill in the Senate in July 2006.
Earlier this year I fought to bring the bill to the floor for a vote, sent letters to my colleagues and spoke on the floor in support of the bill several times. On July 18, 2006 I said, “[f]or those who insist on playing politics with people's lives, make no mistake about it: The American people are watching, and they will not take kindly to seeing their last flicker of hope being extinguished.” Then on August 9th after the President vetoed the bill I warned that “Bush’s grave mistake to veto the bill was not the end of this fight, but has merely fueled the fire of our determination. We will keep fighting until these millions of Americans see their hopes and prayers answered.”
I believe very strongly that this is a priority issue in this year’s election. While I have been fighting for passage of H.R. 810 in the House and Senate, my opponent has voted six times against stem cell research. Because of this Administration’s efforts to block stem cell research, it has become essential for states such as New Jersey to establish their own stem cell research programs. My opponent had the chance to be part of the solution, but instead voted against funding these essential efforts.
It is essential that we fund stem cell research, and I promise to vote for legislation such as H.R. 810 to lift restrictions for this research.
House 1st District Robert Andrews (D) Incumbent No Response
2nd District Frank LoBiondo (R) Incumbent No Response
3rd District Jim Saxton (R) Incumbent No Response
4th District Christopher Smith (R) Incumbent No Response
5th District E. Garrett (R) Incumbent No Response
6th District Frank Pallone (D) Incumbent No Response
7th District Mike Ferguson (R) Incumbent No Response
8th District William Pascrell (D) Incumbent No Response
9th District Steven Rothman (D) Incumbent No Response
10th District Donald Payne (D) Incumbent No Response
11th District Rodney Frelinghuysen (R) Incumbent No Response
Tom Wyka (D) Challenger No Response
Richard Roth (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
John Mele (Constitutional) Challenger No Response
12th District Rush Holt (D) Incumbent Received following response: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss federally funded embryonic stem cell research. I appreciate the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research's advocacy for this humane and promising research.
I am proud that New Jersey is the first state in the country to devote taxpayer funds to embryonic stem cell research. This is a tremendous start, but the federal government must do more. That is why I am pleased to be a cosponsor of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (HR 810), and why I voted to override President Bush's ill-advised veto of the legislation.
Those who oppose embyronic stem cell research claim that it is unethical. This is the same line of argument that has been used in the past to condemn procedures that are now accepted as legitimate and beneficial, such as blood transfusions and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Fertility clinics routinely produce more embryos than are implanted in mothers, and unused embryos are palced in cryo-storage and usually destroyed. Surely, few Americans would argue that infertile couples are availing themselves of an immoral procedure.
If enacted, HR 810 would expand federal funding beyond President Bush's overly restrictive policy of 2001, which limited funding to research on only a few stem cell lines. This limit hinders the progress that our scientists and researchers can achieve. HR 810 would allow federal funding of embryos that would otherwise be discarded. Pursuing this research is the moral, ethical, and humane course of action.
I was disappointed that President Bush cast the first veto of his Presidency on HR 810. With one stroke of his pen, he robbed people with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, and ALS - to name just a few conditions - of the peace of mind that scientists and researchers have all the tools at their disposal to improve the way we diagnose, treat and cure these diseases. He robbed their loved ones of the optimism that all avenues are being pursued to eradicated these horrible diseases. I am hopeful that Congress will pass this legislation again in the 110th Congress, and that President Bush will embrace - not reject - this humane, ethical, and promising research.
Again, thank you for your work to expand funding for research that holds great promise in improving the lives and health of millions of Americans.
Joseph Sinagra (R) Challenger No Response
13th District John Guarini (R) Challenger No Response
Albio Sires (D) Challenger No Response
Dick Hester (Independent) Challenger No Response
Herbert Shaw (Independent) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter with following addendum: Provided that the government will hold the patent on any discoveries they finance.
Esmat Zaklama (Independent) Challenger No Response
Brian Williams (Socialist Workers Party) Challenger No Response
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NEW MEXICO
Senate Jeff Bingaman (D) Incumbent No Response
Allen McCulloch (R) Challenger No Response
Francesca Lobato (Reform Party) Challenger No Response
House 1st District Heather Wilson (R) Incumbent No Response
Patricia Madrid (D) Challenger No Response
2nd District Steve Pearce (R) Incumbent No Response
Albert Kissling (D) Challenger No Response
3rd District Tom Udall (D) Incumbent No Response
Ronald Dolin (R) Challenger No Response
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NEW YORK
Senate Hillary Clinton (D) Incumbent No Response
John Spencer (R) Challenger No Response
House 1st District Timothy Bishop (D) Incumbent Received following response: Scientists widely believe that embryonic stem cells have the potential to help treat devastating diseases that threaten the lives of millions of Americans such as Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, and heart disease. I have spoken to many families from across New York's First Congressional District who are holding onto hope that a life-saving breakthrough in stem cell research will occur in time to help a loved one.
As you may recall, President Bush announced a policy in August of 2001 that he would limit federal funding for embryonic stem cell research to the 78 stem cell lines available at that time. Since the President's policy was implemented, the restriction has been challenged by a growing number of scientists who believe that the lines currently available are inadequate to fulfill the promise of potential new medical breakthroughs made possible through this research.
I voted for HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, because I believe that we need to revise the President's policy so we do not curtail valuable research or discourage scientists from conducting this life-saving research. Under the current policy, we risk exporting stem cell research as some of of our most promising scientists move overseas, where fewer restrictions on research and greater regulatory flexibility had been proven to stimluate medical innovation and progress. HR 810 was passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, but unfortunately was vetoed by the President. The measure then failed to garner the necesarry support of two-thirds of the House of Representatives to override the veto. I also voted to override the President's veto.
In addition, I have joined my colleagues in writing to President Bush urging him to revisit his current policy and relax the restrictions he imposed in 2001. Our letter stressed that although the President suggested a significant number of stem cell lines would be available under his policy, only 19 stem cell lines are actually available to researchers.
Please be assured that I will continue to any support to support the federal funding of embyronic stem cell research.
Italo Zanzi (R) Challenger No Response
2nd District Steve Israel (D) Incumbent No Response
3rd District Peter King (R) Incumbent No Response
David Mejias (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
4th District Carolyn McCarthy (D) Incumbent No Response
Martin Blessinger (R) Challenger No Response
5th District Gary Ackerman (D) Incumbent No Response
6th District Gregory Meeks (D) Incumbent No Response
7th District Joseph Crowley (D) Incumbent No Response
Kevin Brawley (R) Challenger No Response
8th District Jerrold Nadler (D) Incumbent No Response
Eleanor Friedman (R) Challenger No Response
9th District Anthony Weiner (D) Incumbent No Response
10th District Edolphus Towns (D) Incumbent No Response
Jonathan Anderson (R) Challenger No Response
11th District No Incumbent
Yvette Clarke (D) Challenger No Response
Stephen Finger (R) Challenger No Response
Mariana Blume (Conservative) Challenger No Response
12th District Nydia Velazquez (D) Incumbent No Response
Allan Romaquera (R) Challenger No Response
13th District Vito Fossella (R) Incumbent No Response
Stephen Harrison (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
14th District Carolyn Maloney (D) Incumbent No Response
Danniel Maio (R) Challenger No Response
15th District Charles Rangel (D) Incumbent No Response
Edward Daniels (R) Challenger No Response
16th District Jose Serrano (D) Incumbent No Response
Ali Mohamed (R) Challenger No Response
17th District Eliot Engel (D) Incumbent Received following response: I was deeply disappointed that on July 19, 2006, President Bush issued the first veto of his Presidency against HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005. This bill overwhelmingly passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate and has the support of the majority of the American people. While the effort to override the President's veto received a majority vote of 235-193, it did not garner the two-thirds majority required by the U.S. Constitution to successfully override a Presidential veto.
As you may know, in 2001, President Bush issued guidelines that allow federally-funded research to continue only on existing embryonic stem cells, but prohibit any new lines from being created. I believed the President did not go far enough with these guidelines, and has once again allowed politics to interfere with science in vetoing HR 810.
Research has shown that the use of embyronic stem cells could lead to breakthroughs in treatment and possible cures for a number of debilitating diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, brain and spinal cord injury, birth defects, muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig's disease. Over 200 patient groups, universities and scientific societies have urged President Bush to expand the federal policy on embryonic stem cell research. Please know that I will continue to support efforts to allow this life-saving research to move forward in a responsible manner.
Jim Faulkner (R) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
18th District Nita Lowey (D) Incumbent No Response
Richard Hoffman (R) Challenger No Response
19th District Sue Kelly (R) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
John Hall (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
20th District John Sweeney (R) Incumbent No Response
Kirsten Gillibrand (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
21st District Michael McNulty (D) Incumbent No Response
Warren Redlich (R) Challenger No Response
22nd District Maurice Hinchey (D) Incumbent Received following response: Thank you for inquiring about my position on stem cell research, and specifically, HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.
I strongly believe that stem cell research is likely to bring significant advances to the field of medical science. It may lead to treatment for diseases and disabilities such as Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, spinal cord injury, heart disease, and diabetes. Given the severity of these diseases, I am of the opinion that we cannot afford to ignore one of the most promising avenues for research.
As you can tell from the Congressional Record, I have backed up these beliefs with action in Congress. I am a proud cosponsor of HR 810, and voted three times on the House floor to enact it into law.
23rd District John McHugh (R) Incumbent No Response
Robert Johnson (D) Challenger No Response
24th District No Incumbent
Michael Arcuri (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
Raymond Meier (R) Challenger No Response
25th District James Walsh (R) Incumbent No Response
Daniel Maffei (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter with following addendum: My opponent and I have two very different approaches. His approach emphasizes the past. My approach provides a change in course, and hope for a better future. This could not be more evident than when it comes to stem cell research.
Millions of Americans suffer from arthritis, cancer, Parkinson’s, sickle cell anemia, Lou Gehrig’s disease, cystic fibrosis, spinal cord injuries, autism, Down syndrome, juvenile diabetes, and more. Leading scientists agree that embryonic stem cell research gives us the best chance for finding a cure for these and other diseases. But when Jim Walsh had a chance to support a bipartisan bill allowing embryonic stem cell research under strict ethical guidelines this year, he voted against it.
The bill still passed but was vetoed by President Bush. Then Jim Walsh could have voted to override the President’s veto. But he didn’t. He chose to support President Bush, which he does nine out of ten times, instead of supporting his own constituents.
Nancy Reagan, the late Christopher Reeve, Michael J. Fox, conservative Senator Orrin Hatch, Senator John McCain, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, countless universities and research groups, and the vast majority of Americans – and residents in our own district – support embryonic stem cell research. Despite this, Jim Walsh voted against it.
Now Mr. Walsh will tell you that he HAS voted to support research that involves umbilical cord stem cells because he wants to protect the embryo and the sanctity of life. But we are not talking about creating new embryos for research. We’re talking about embryos donated to fertility clinics that would be discarded as medical waste. They would be THROWN AWAY. By throwing away unused stem cells, we are throwing away a potential cure.
This is too important an issue to support it today, but oppose it tomorrow. Or to support it with caveats and exceptions. You either fully support stem cell research and the hope that it provides for families and loved ones . . . or you don’t. It’s just that simple. Jim Walsh had a chance to support stem cell research. He sided with President Bush and voted against it.
When I’m in Congress, I will vote to allow embryonic stem cell research and continue that hope. This cutting-edge research has shown tremendous promise in unlocking the code to life-saving cures. While we have much to learn, we know that embryonic stem cell research is a critical tool in our path to discovery.
26th District Thomas Reynolds (R) Incumbent No Response
Jack Davis (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
27th District Brian Higgins (D) Incumbent No Response
Michael McHale Challenger No Response
28th District Louise Slaughter (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
John Donnelly (R) Challenger Received following response: Thank you for the opportunity to share my position on stem cell research with your organization. This is certainly an issue that many of the constituents in New York's 28th congressional disctrict want to understand and discuss.
I have personally experienced the pain and heartache of helping a loved one through sickness and, in several cases, the terminal stages of a disease. My mother died of breast cancer several years ago; she also suffered from scleroderma, a painful auto-immune disease that made it difficult for her to eat and walk as her connective tissue hardened. I've lost an uncle to basal cell lung cancer, my cousin lives as a quadriplegic due to a sports injury; several other close relatives deal every day with debilitating illness.
Stem cell research is a tantalizing scientific advance in medical research that may help us cure those we love of chronic, sometimes terminal, illness. I am very supportive of scientific research dedicated towards using cord blook and adult sources of stem cells to help find cures for diseases. These methods provide viable research pathways and, I believe, may ultimately pave the way for many innovative cures.
If elected to represent the people of New York's 28th district, I am always open to learning more about their needs and concerns. It is important that we, as Americans, always have direct involvement in our government. Stem cell research is no exception.
Sincerely, John Donnelly
29th District John Kuhl (R) Incumbent No Response
Eric Massa (D) Challenger No Response
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NORTH CAROLINA
Senate No Senate race in 2006.
House 1st District G. Butterfield (D) Incumbent No Response
2nd District Bob Etheridge (D) Incumbent Received following response: Thank you for allowing me to express my support for federal funding of stem cell research.
I share you support regarding this important research. Over the past few years, the Congress and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have been considering the difficult ethical and social issues surrounding embryonic stem cell research. As you know, embryonic stem cells, which have the ability to develop into virtually any cell in the body, may have the potential to treat medical conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and cancer. In August of 2000, the National Institutes of Health published its guidelines governing federal funding of stem cell research. These guidelines are ethically sound and designed to promote further life-altering research.
On August 9, 2001, the Bush Administration issued its own guidelines for embryonic stem cell research. The Adminstration’s guidelines allow federal funds to be used for research only on 64 already existing stem cell lines. I support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research because without it, we run the risk of missing an historic opportunity to improve the lives of millions of North Carolinians, Americans and people around the world. Without federal funding for this basic research we could condemn millions of human beings to the pain, misery and suffeing of debilitating and degenerative diseases that otherwise might be cured. I support funding for thies research because of the bright promise it holds to make life better and more productive for generations to comes. However, I am concerned that the Adminstration's guidelines limit research opportunities by restricting the number of stem cells that may be used for this important research.
As you know, HR 810, the Castle DeGette Stem Cell Research Enhancement ACt, directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultation with the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund stem cell research. The House passed HR 810 on May 24, 2005 iwth a vote of 238-194. You may be pleased to know that I cosponsored and voted to ass this important legislation.
I am working with our national leaders to support policies that will defend our values, protect our children and our families, put our people back to work and get our economy back on track. I look forward to your continued input on these and other issues as I do so.
Sincerely, Bob Etheridge
Dan Mansell (R) Challenger No Response
3rd District Walter Jones (R) Incumbent No Response
Craig Weber (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
4th District David Price (D) Incumbent Received following response: I believe in the promise embryonic stem cell research holds for medical breakthroughs that could help treat and cure terrible diseases such as Alzheimer's, cancer, Parkinson's, Lou Gehrig's disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, diabetes, and others. This promise alone provides a morally compelling argument in favor of stem cell research.
The President's actions on stem cell research - from his initial authorizing of the use of existing lines only, to his veto of last summer - have made neither moral nor scientific sense. After the veto, I met with representatives of patient advocate groups, researchers and patients who support stem cell research. They were justifiably angry and confused at the President's stubbornness on this issue. With that one veto, the President effectively disabled the hopes of millions of Americans who suffer from debilitating diseases.
I supported HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, and fought against the President's veto. In the next Congress, I will continue to advocate for the promotion of embryonic stem cell research, with appropriate ethical safeguards.
Steven Acuff (R) Challenger No Response
5th District Virginia Foxx (R) Incumbent No Response
Roger Sharpe (D) Challenger No Response
6th District Howard Coble (R) Incumbent No Response
Rory Blake (D) Challenger No Response
7th District Mike McIntyre (D) Incumbent No Response
Shirley Davis (R) Challenger No Response
8th District Robert Hayes (R) Incumbent No Response
Larry Kissell (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
9th District Sue Myrick (R) Incumbent No Response
Bill Glass (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
10th District Patrick McHenry (R) Incumbent No Response
Richard Carsner (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
11th District Charles Taylor (R) Incumbent No Response
Heath Shuler (D) Challenger No Response
12th District Melvin Watt (D) Incumbent Received following response: Thank you for contacting me about whether I support HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, and similar legislation that would provide federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
I became a cosponsor of HR 810 in February 2005. I voted in favor of HR 810 when it passed the House and I voted to override the President's veto when that vote failed in the House. I remaing supportive of similar legislative efforts to lift restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
Ada Fisher (R) Challenger No Response
13th District Brad Miller (D) Incumbent No Response
Vernon Robinson (R) Challenger No Response
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NORTH DAKOTA
Senate Kent Conrad (D) Incumbent No Response
Dwight Grotberg (R) Challenger No Response
Roland Riemers (Independent) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
House 1st District Earl Pomeroy (D) Incumbent No Response
Matt Mechtel (R) Challenger No Response
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OHIO Senate Mike DeWine (R) Incumbent No Response
Sherrod Brown (D) Challenger No Response
House 1st District Steve Chabot (R) Incumbent No Response
John Cranley (D) Challenger No Response
2nd District Jean Schmidt (R) Incumbent No Response
Victoria Wulsin (D) Challenger No Response
3rd District Michael Turner (R) Incumbent No Response
4th District James Jordan (R) Challenger No Response
Richard Siferd (D) Challenger No Response
5th District Paul Gillmor (R) Incumbent No Response
Robin Weirauch (D) Challenger No Response
6th District Charles Blasdel (R) Incumbent No Response
Charles Wilson (D) Challenger No Response
7th District David Hobson (R) Incumbent No Response
William Conner (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
8th District John Boehner (R) Incumbent No Response
Morton Meier (D) Challenger No Response
9th District Marcy Kaptur (D) Incumbent No Response
Bradley Leavitt (R) Challenger No Response
10th District Dennis Kucinich (D) Incumbent No Response
Michael Dovilla (R) Challenger No Response
11th District Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D) Incumbent Received following response: Thank you for your recent contact regarding stem cell research. I am glad to have the opportunity to know your views on this important issue. I voted in favor of HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, which passed the House July 19, by a vote of 235-193. Unfortunately, it failed to receive the two-thirds majority needed to override the recent presidential veto.
Whithin Ohio's 11th Congressional District, we have perhaps some of the world's leading medical research institutions. Case Western Reserve University, The Cleveland Clinic, and University Hospitals have embarked on a monumental and ground breaking joint project to establish the National Center of Regenerative Medicine (NCRM). Uniting these resources along with continued investment in their development will shorten dramatically the time from scientific discovery to treatment, thereby preserving the lives of countless patients in Ohio and throughout the nation.
Within the walls of these three medical institutions lie some of the most advanced and prolific members of the scientific research community on regenerative medicine. While this research is basically focused on adult stem cell and umbilical cord research, we must continue to move forward in a responsible, compassionate and humane way.
I support this movement toward the treatment, research and cure of disease and illness which the use of stem cell exploration and research can advance. As the U.S. House of Representatives continues to debate issues related to stem cell research and development, I will be certain to keep your views in mind.
Lindsey String (R) Challenger Received following response: I support the freedom to research embryonic stem cells but...At this point, I would not vote to federally fund the research with any of our tax dollars.
The last I heard, someone figured out how to extract the cells harmlessly - that's great!! But can you prove any value from the research yet?? Your claim sounds like the "snake oil" "miracle cure" salesmen of the previous century.
Please prove me wrong.
12th District Pat Tiberi (R) Incumbent No Response
Robert Shamansky (D) Challenger No Response
13th District Craig Foltin (R) Challenger No Response
Betty Sutton (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
14th District Steven LaTourette (R) Incumbent No Response
Lewis Katz (D) Challenger No Response
15th District Deborah Pryce (R) Incumbent Received following response: I support stem cell research. As you know, embryonic stem cells have the ability to develop into virtually any cell in the body and offer scientists the ability to make new skin, liver and other tissues and organs. These therapies could provide more hope to so many patients and their loved ones who suffer at the hands of chronic and life-threatening disease.
Under the current federal policy on human embryonic stem cell research, only those stem cell lines derived before August 9, 2001 are eligible for federally funded research. The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 (HR 810) would expand the number of stem cell ines that are eligible for federally funded research and allow human embryonic stem cell therapies regardless of the date on which the stem cells were created from a human embryo.
On May 24, 2005, I voted in favor of HR 810, which passed in the House by a vote of 238 to 194. Subsequently, the bill passed in the Senate on July 18, 2006. On the following day, President Bush vetoed the bill. I voted in favor of overriding the President's vetor, but unfortunately, the 2/3 required votes were not obtained.
Mary Kilroy (D) Challenger No Response
16th District Ralph Regula (R) Incumbent No Response
Thomas Shaw (D) Challenger No Response
17th District Timothy Ryan (D) Incumbent No Response
18th District No Incumbent
Zachary Space (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
Joy Padgett (R) Challenger No Response
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OKLAHOMA
Senate No Senate race in 2006.
House 1st District John Sullivan (R) Incumbent No Response
Alan Gentges (D) Challenger No Response
Bill Wortman (Independent) Challenger No Response
2nd District David Boren (D) Incumbent No Response
Patrick Miller (R) Challenger No Response
3rd District Frank Lucas (R) Incumbent No Response
Sue Barton (D) Challenger No Response
Gregory Wilson (Independent) Challenger No Response
4th District Tom Cole (R) Incumbent No Response
Hal Spake (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
5th District Mary Fallin (R) Challenger No Response
David Hunter (D) Challenger No Response
Matthew Woodson (Independent) Challenger No Response
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OREGON
Senate No Senate race in 2006.
House 1st District David Wu (D) Incumbent No Response
Derrick Kitts (R) Challenger No Response
Dean Wolf (Constitution) Challenger Received following response: My answer to the above question is NO. As I understand it, there are other options available for stem cell research. One such option is stem cell research being performed on adults' own cells. I have to say that I am undeniably opposed to abortion and any of its by-products including stem cell research.
2nd District Greg Walden (R) Incumbent No Response
Carol Voisin (D) Challenger No Response
3rd District Earl Blumenauer (D) Incumbent No Response
Bruce Broussard (R) Challenger No Response
4th District Peter DeFazio (D) Incumbent Received following response: I believe in the promise that embryonic stem cell research offers to end the suffering of 100 million patients with cancer, Parkinson's Alzheimer's, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and other debilitating diseases and disorders.
I support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. I have cosponsored HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, legislation which would lift restrictions on federal funding for this important research. I voted for the passage of HR 810 and voted to override President Bush's veto of the bill. You can be sure I will continue to support this vital research. Sincerely, Peter A. DeFazio
James Feldkamp (R) Challenger No Response
5th District Darlene Hooley (D) Incumbent No Response
Mike Erickson (R) Challenger No Response
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PENNSYLVANIA Senate Rick Santorum (R) Incumbent No Response
Bob Casey (D) Challenger No Response
Carl Romanelli (Non-Partisan) Challenger No Response
House 1st District Robert Brady (D) Incumbent No Response
2nd District Chaka Fattah (D) Incumbent No Response
3rd District Phil English (R) Incumbent No Response
Steven Porter (D) Challenger No Response
4th District Melissa Hart (R) Incumbent No Response
Jason Altmire (D) Challenger No Response
5th District John Peterson (R) Incumbent No Response
Donald Hilliard (D) Challenger No Response
6th District James Gerlach (R) Incumbent No Response
Lois Murphy (D) Challenger No Response
7th District Curt Weldon (R) Incumbent No Response
Joseph Sestak (D) Challenger No Response
8th District Michael Fitzpatrick (R) Incumbent No Response
Patrick Murphy (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
9th District Bill Shuster (R) Incumbent No Response
10th District Don Sherwood (R) Incumbent No Response
Christopher Carney (D) Challenger No Response
11th District Paul Kanjorski (D) Incumbent No Response
Joseph Leonardi (R) Challenger No Response
12th District John Murtha (D) Incumbent No Response
Diana Irey (R) Challenger No Response
13th District Allyson Schwartz (D) Incumbent No Response
Raj Bhakta (R) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
14th District Mike Doyle (D) Incumbent No Response
15th District Charles Dent (R) Incumbent No Response
Charles Dertinger (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
Greta Browne (Green Party) Challenger No Response
16th District Joseph Pitts (R) Incumbent No Response
Lois Herr (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
John Murphy (Independent) Challenger No Response
17th District Tim Holden (D) Incumbent No Response
Matthew Wertz (R) Challenger No Response
18th District Timothy Murphy (R) Incumbent No Response
Chad Kluko (D) Challenger No Response
19th District Todd Platts (R) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
Phillip Avillo (D) Challenger No Response
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RHODE ISLAND
Senate Lincoln Chafee (R) Incumbent No Response
Sheldon Whitehouse (D) Challenger No Response
House 1st District Patrick Kennedy (D) Incumbent Received following response: Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to express my strong support of embryonic stem cell research, as well as increased funding for medical research and the National Institutes of Health.
I am an original cosponsor of HR810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, and I support ending the President’s politically motivated policy against the expansion of embyronic stem cell research. Further, I am shocked by his disregard for the majority of Americans who support stem cell research and by his choice to veto this important bill.
The National Academies has estimated that stem cell research has the potential to help at least 133 million Americans who suffer from cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, and birth defects. This number, while astounding, does not even begin to include family members whose lives are greatly affected by the illness of a loved one. With these considerations taken into account, the benefits of stem cell research become immeasurable.
I am sensitive to the concerns of individuals who may have ethical questions about embyronic stem cell research. As with any medical research, strict rules must be in place to protect and honor human life, and I believe HR 810 clearly outlined a responsible policy for federal researchers to follow.
It is time to speak out for the millions of Americans who stand to benefit from federal support of embryonic stem cell research, and to leave politics at the door. I will continue to fight to pass HR 810.
Jonathan Scott (R) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
Kenneth Capalbo (Independent) Challenger No Response
2nd District James Langevin (D) Incumbent Received following response: As you know, I steadfastly believe in the promise that embryonic stem cell research offers to end the suffering of 100 million patients with cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and other chronic conditions and diseases. In the 108th and 109th Congresses, I was proud to be an original cosponsor of legislation that would lift restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. In 2005, I served on a whip team with Representatives Mike Castle and Diana DeGette to ensure passage of H.R. 810 with strong, bipartisan support.
As a pro-life Member of Congress, my decision to support stem cell research came after careful consideration, and a great deal of study, thought and prayer. Having heard from the leading scientists and experts on both sides of the issue, I came to the conclusion that embryonic stem cell research can be done in a responsible way and offers hope that must be further explored. As a pro-life and pro-research Member, I have worked to educate other pro-life individuals as to the science of stem cell research and the advantages to developing one national, responsible and ethical policy on this matter.
I feel it is the responsibility of the government to support such life-affirming research and to ensure that ethical standards are in place. Private research currently takes place in the United States without any oversight. For these reasons, I was an original cosponsor and voted in favor of H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.
I was devastated when President Bush exercised the first veto of his presidency and rejected H.R. 810. I voted to override the President’s veto; however, with a final vote of 235-193, the House did not garner the 2/3 majority vote necessary to override a Presidential veto. I pledge to continue my efforts in this area in the 110th Congress and I look forward to working with CAMR to continue the fight to expand stem cell research and funding, so that the hopes of the millions waiting for lifesaving research can again be illuminated.
Rod Driver (Independent) Challenger Received following response: I advocate embryonic stem-cell research, and if elected will support federal funding such as H.R. 810.
My opponent -- Rep. James R. Langevin -- actually voted to outlaw such research. (See 2001 Roll Calls 300, 302, 303 and 304.) Later, he announced that he supports embryonic stem-cell research. But two years later he again voted to outlaw it. (See 2003 Roll Call 39.) If either of these bills had passed the Senate, President Bush would have signed it, the research would be outlawed and we wouldn't now be discussing who ought to fund it.
I have been a consistent advocate for the research, and for federal funding of it.
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SOUTH CAROLINA
Senate No Senate race in 2006.
House 1st District Henry Brown (R) Incumbent No Response
Randy Maatta (D) Challenger No Response
2nd District Addison Wilson (R) Incumbent No Response
Michael Ellisor (D) Challenger No Response
3rd District James Barrett (R) Incumbent No Response
Franklin "Lee" Ballenger (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
4th District Robert Inglis (R) Incumbent No Response
William Griffith (D) Challenger No Response
5th District Ralph Norman (R) Incumbent No Response
John Spratt (D) Incumbent Received following response: I am a longtime supporter of stem cell research. The potential for stem cell research is overwhelming, but this potential will only be achieved after several years of research into basic cell biology and clinical technique.
That is why I am a co-sponsor of H. R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement. I voted in favor of H. R. 810 when it passed the House in 2005. I voted to override the President's veto in 2006.
I was disappointed by the President's veto, and the House' inability to override it. I will continue to do all I can to see that H. R. 810 or a bill like it gets passed into law.
6th District James Clyburn (D) Incumbent No Response
Gary McLeod (R) Challenger No Response
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SOUTH DAKOTA
Senate No Senate race in 2006.
House 1st District Stephanie Herseth (D) Incumbent No Response
Bruce Whalen (R) Challenger No Response
Larry Rudebusch (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
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TENNESSEE
Senate Harold Ford (D) Incumbent No Response
Bob Corker (R) Challenger No Response
Ed Choate (Independent) Challenger No Response
Emory Heyward (Independent) Challenger No Response
H. Keplinger (Independent) Challenger No Response
Chris Lugo (Independent) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
House 1st District David Davis (R) Challenger No Response
Rick Trent (D) Challenger No Response
Michael Peavler (Independent) Challenger No Response
James Reeves (Independent) Challenger No Response
Mahmood Sabri (Independent) Challenger No Response
Robert Smith (Independent) Challenger No Response
2nd District John Duncan (R) Incumbent No Response
John Greene (D) Challenger No Response
3rd District Zach Wamp (R) Incumbent Responded that he does not answer political questionnaires and asked that people look at his voting record.
Terry Stulce (D) Challenger No Response
Brent Benedict (Independent) Challenger No Response
4th District Lincoln Davis (D) Incumbent No Response
Ken Martin (R) Challenger No Response
5th District Jim Cooper (D) Incumbent No Response
Thomas Kovach (R) Challenger No Response
Virginia Welsch (Independent) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
6th District Bart Gordon (D) Incumbent No Response
David Davis (R) Challenger No Response
Robert Garrison (Independent) Challenger No Response
Norman Saliba (Independent) Challenger No Response
7th District Marsha Blackburn (R) Incumbent No Response
Bill Morrison (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
Kathleen Culver (Independent) Challenger No Response
Gayl Pratt (Independent) Challenger No Response
John Rimer (Independent) Challenger Response pending.
William Smith (Independent) Challenger No Response
James White (Independent) Challenger No Response
8th District John Tanner (D) Incumbent No Response
John Farmer (R) Challenger No Response
9th District Stephen Cohen (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
Mark White (R) Challenger No Response
Jake Ford (Independent) Challenger No Response
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TEXAS
Senate Kay Hutchison (R) Incumbent No Response
Barbara Radnofsky (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
Scott Jameson (Libertarian) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
House 1st District Louis Gohmert (R) Incumbent No Response
Roger Owen (D) Challenger Received following response: “I am not against this particular issue, but am against spending federal money for something that private industry will come in later and put patents on which will end up costing taxpayers and consumers more money. This is where I have my problem. I do not endorse the funding of any projects in which patents can be acquired to where the consumer ends up paying more money from federally financed research.”
Donald Perkison (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
2nd District Ted Poe (R) Incumbent No Response
Gary Binderim (D) Challenger No Response
Justo Perez (Libertarian) Challenger Received following response: I am completely convinced that embryonic cell research WILL solve many human ailments. However, I am apposed to ANY public funding for ANY research that can be funded more effectively by the private sector (I.e. free market interests). In short. based on Libertarian principles, I cannot agree with federal funding for this issue and many others that can be funded by the private sector.
If elected, I will support any legislation that makes the research legal but does not provide federal funding.
3rd District Sam Johnson (R) Incumbent No Response
Dan Dodd (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter with following addendum: I am a staunch believer in stem cell research and support federal funding for it. Our daughter holds a PhD from Stanford School of Virology. She is published and doing research in spinal cord nerve cell regeneration at the University of Zurich. She is very familiar with stem cell research.
I will support HR 810 and any similar bill that authorizes and/or appropriates federal funding for stem cell research nto cure a panoply of disease affecting Americans.
Christopher Claytor (Libertarian) Challenger Received following response: I do not support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. I promise to vote in favor legislation that would lift restrictions on private funding for this important research. I further believe that the Federal Government should not provide any funding of any research. It should all be from private sources!
4th District Ralph Hall (R) Incumbent No Response
Glenn Melancon (D) Challenger No Response
Kurt Helm (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
5th District Thomas Hensarling (R) Incumbent No Response
Charles Thompson (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
Mike Nelson (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
6th District Joe Barton (R) Incumbent No Response
David Harris (D) Challenger No Response
Carl Nulsen (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
7th District John Culberson (R) Incumbent No Response
James Henley (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
Drew Parks (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
8th District Kevin Brady (R) Incumbent No Response
James Wright (D) Challenger No Response
9th District Al Green (D) Incumbent No Response
10th District Michael McCaul (R) Incumbent No Response
Ted Ankrum (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
Michael Badnarik (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
11th District K. Conaway (R) Incumbent No Response
12th District Kay Granger (R) Incumbent No Response
John Morris (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
Gardner Osborne (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
13th District William Thornberry (R) Incumbent Responded that he does not answer questionnaires and asks that people look at his voting record for his stand on most issues.
Roger Waun (D) Challenger No Response
Jim Thompson (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
14th District Ron Paul (R) Incumbent No Response
Shane Sklar (D) Challenger No Response
15th District Ruben Hinojosa (D) Incumbent No Response
Paul Haring (R) Challenger No Response
Eddie Zamora (R) Challenger No Response
16th District Silvestre Reyes (D) Incumbent No Response
Gordon Strickland (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
17th District Chet Edwards (D) Incumbent No Response
Nicholas Taylor (R) Challenger No Response
Guillermo Acosta (Labor Party) Challenger No Response
18th District Sheila Jackson Lee (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
Patrick Warren (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
19th District Randy Neugebauer (R) Incumbent No Response
Robert Ricketts (D) Challenger No Response
Fred Jones (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
20th District Charles Gonzalez (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
Michael Idrogo (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
21st District Lamar Smith (R) Incumbent Received following response: Thank you for passing along the information regarding the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research.
As an incumbent, I believe that my voting record best indicates my views. Candidates can say they support you, but votes are what really count.
My record shows that I strongly support scientific research and innovation.
John Courage (D) Challenger Received following response: I believe in the promise that embryonic stem cell research offers to end the suffering of 100 million patients with cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and other debilitating diseases and disorders.
My family and I have had first hand experience with stem cell therapy. My brother-in-law died from cancer and my wife donated her adult stem cells as a treatment for her brother. The treatment was only partially successful and helped extend his life another year. We personally have high hopes for the potential for future stem cell research.
I support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. I promise to vote in favor of legislation, such as HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, that would lift restrictions on federal funding for this important research.
Gene Kelly (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
James Strohm (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
Tommy Calvert (Independent) Challenger No Response
James Peterson (Independent) Challenger Received following response: In response to your request for my position on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, I would say the following.
The Federal budget is stretched way too far by its current expenditures and the lack of income to cover those expenditures. Accordingly, I am not in favor of, nor would I support, substantial federal funding for stem cell research.
I do agree that there is much promise in this research, and do support the freedom to do this research, but not with Federal money. Money from private organizations and foundations should be free to pursue this research to show whether or not there is any reality behind the promise. At this point there is only promise. Show me results, any results, and then we could talk about putting Federal money behind further research.
Mark Rossano (Independent) Challenger No Response
22nd District No Incumbent
Nick Lampson (D) Challenger Received following response: I strongly disagree with the President’s decision to veto the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (HR 810).
Stem cell research could hold the key to saving countless American lives, and many individuals with chronic diseases – along with their families and loved ones – are holding out hope for better lives based on medical discoveries that could occur if we pursue stem cell research.
My sister, Mary Jo, contracted polio at a very young age. She has been in a wheel chair most of her life. My sister is strong. She has overcome a lot and has had a wonderful life. But is there is a chance that I, as a representative in Congress, can make sure that future generations don’t have to overcome all the challenges faced by my sister, I am going to take that chance. That is why I strongly support stem cell research.
I believe we should be open to this new advance in medicine, because it is the right thing to do to save and enhance millions of American lives. I will vote in favor of legislation, such as the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (HR 810), that would lift restrictions on federal funding for this important research.
Shelley Sekula-Gibbs (R) Challenger No Response Bob Smither (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
23rd District Henry Bonilla (R) Incumbent No Response
August Beltran (D) Challenger No Response
Rick Bolanos (D) Challenger No Response
Adrian DeLeon (D) Challenger No Response
Lukin Gilliland (D) Challenger No Response
Ciro Rodriguez (D) Challenger No Response
Albert Uresti (D) Challenger No Response
Craig Stephens (Independent) Challenger No Response
24th District Kenny Marchant (R) Incumbent No Response
Gary Page (D) Challenger No Response
Mark Frohman (Libertarian) Challenger Signed CAMR Letter
25th District Lloyd Doggett (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
Grant Rostig (R) Challenger No Response
Barbara Cunningham (Libertarian) Challenger Received following response: Thank you for asking me for my position on embryonic stem cell research. I believe this line of research holds great promise in finding treatments and cures for a variety of medical problems. However, I do not support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. I do not support federal funding for ANY medical research as I do not believe it is one of the functions of the federal government. That said, if the federal government decides to support any medical research, it should support ALL medical research equally. Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.
Brian Parrett (Independent) Challenger Received following response: I do not support spending Federal funds researching embryonic stem cells and cannot, in good conscience, support H.R. 810 or similar legislation.
If stem cells truly offer a promise to end the suffering of millions of patients then the private sector can and will develop medicines and treatments from stem cells.
26th District Michael Burgess (R) Incumbent No Response
Tim Barnwell (D) Challenger No Response
Rich Haas (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
27th District Solomon Ortiz (D) Incumbent No Response
William Vaden (R) Challenger No Response
Robert Powell (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
28th District Henry Cuellar (D) Incumbent No Response
Frank Enriquez (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
Ron Avery (Constitutional) Challenger No Response
29th District Gene Green (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter with the following note: “As a current member of Congress, I have voted for and spoke for embryonic stem cell research on the floor of the House of Representatives.”
Eric Story (R) Challenger No Response
Clifford Messina (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
30th District Eddie Johnson (D) Incumbent No Response
Wilson Aurbach (R) Challenger No Response
Ken Ashby (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
31st District John Carter (R) Incumbent No Response
Mary Harrell (D) Challenger No Response
Matt McAdoo (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
32nd District Pete Sessions (R) Incumbent No Response
Will Pryor (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
John Hawley (Libertarian) Challenger Received following response: Thank you for your letter of 20 September, 2006, received today, soliciting 1) my acknowledgment of the "promise" of stem cell research, and 2) my support for Federal Funding of stem cell research. Please allow this letter to convey my response to that solicitation.
First, I am without knowledge to know how much promise stem cell research has to offer for medical advancement; therefore I am unable to say that I believe in that promise. I certainly hope that all medical research is worthwhile and fruitful, but I do know know the specifics of the promise of this particular research. Second, I am opposed to FEDERAL funding of any and all such research, regardless of how promising, including the FEDERAL funding of stem cell research. Federal funding --like the Federal government itself-- should be limited and medical research, regardless of how heart-wrenching the problems it seeks to solve, is outside the scope of the Federal Constitution not to mention being outside the Federal budget.
About the moral propriety of the research which (as I understand it) involves the use of killed children (itself, a heart wrenching situation), I believe that parents of the children have absolute say over their children and that law is a futile resource to correct the behavior of parents in regard to their children. Law that invades the family, in my opinion, results in more harm than good and is an unsuitable substitute to changing the hearts and minds of parents.
Changing hearts and minds is an educational endeavor, not an enforcement one.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to your inquiry. I look forward to seeing the above response posted with your candidate information.
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UTAH
Senate Orrin Hatch (R) Incumbent Co-Author of the Senate Version of HR 810 (S.471)
Peter Ashdown (D) Challenger No Response
Dave Seely (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
Scott Bradley (Constitutional) Challenger No Response
Julian Hatch (Green Party) Challenger No Response
House 1st District Robert Bishop (R) Incumbent No Response
Steven Olsen (D) Challenger No Response
Lynn Badler (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
Mark Hudson (Constitutional) Challenger No Response
2nd District LaVar Christensen (R) Incumbent No Response
Jim Matheson (D) Incumbent No Response
Austin Lett (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
Bob Brister (Green Party) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
W. Perry (Constitutional) Challenger No Response
3rd District Christopher Cannon (R) Incumbent No Response
Christian Burridge (D) Challenger No Response
Phillip Hallman (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
Jim Noorlander (Constitutional) Challenger No Response
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VERMONT
Senate No Incumbent
Bernard Sanders (Independent) Challenger No Response
Richard Tarrant (R) Challenger No Response
House 1st District Martha Rainville (R) Challenger No Response
Peter Welch (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
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VIRGINIA
Senate George Allen (R) Incumbent No Response
James Webb (D) Challenger No Response
Gail Parker (Green Party) Challenger No Response
House 1st District Jo Ann Davis (R) Incumbent No Response
Shawn O'Donnell (D) Challenger No Response
Marvin Pixton (Independent) Challenger No Response
2nd District Thelma Drake (R) Incumbent No Response
Philip Kellam (D) Challenger No Response
3rd District Robert Scott (D) Incumbent No Response
4th District J. Forbes (R) Incumbent No Response
Albert Burckard (Green Party) Challenger No Response
5th District Virgil Goode (R) Incumbent No Response
Albert Weed (D) Challenger No Response
6th District Bob Goodlatte (R) Incumbent No Response
Barbara Jean Pryor (Independent) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
7th District Eric Cantor (R) Incumbent No Response
Brad Blanton (Green Party) Challenger No Response
8th District James Moran (D) Incumbent No Response
Tom O'Donoghue (R) Challenger No Response
Jim Hurysz (Independent) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
9th District Rick Boucher (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
Charles Carrico (R) Challenger No Response
10th District Frank Wolf (R) Incumbent No Response
Judith Feder (D) Challenger Received following response: Stem cell research holds the best promise to cure horrible diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, and Lou Gehrig's disease, from which millions of Americans suffer.
I am disappointed that George Bush and Frank Wolf opposed HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. I support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, and as a member of Congress, I would vote in favor of legislation to lift the current restrictions on federal funding for this necessary research. One hundred million Americans are affected by debilitating diseases and disorders that through committed research, we can make strides to cure.
Wilbur Wood (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
Neeraj Nigam (Independent) Challenger Received following response: While I am strongly in favor of all research and development, I do not know enough about this to make an intelligent response. I need to study this matter in greater detail and discuss with experts before I can make a decision.
From my current understanding, I believe that we do not have all the answers yet. What protections are in place for embryos? What protections are put in place to prevent misuse of embryonic tissue? What are the capabilities and how far can this research lead to?
Until I am satisfied, I do not think that I am in a position to support this legislation. I do promise to give it a fair hearing and listen to the wishes of my district.
I promise to represent my district to the best of my ability with an open relationship with them and do as they want.
11th District Thomas Davis (R) Incumbent No Response
Andrew Hurst (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
Ferdinando Greco (Independent) Challenger No Response
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WASHINGTON
Senate Maria Cantwell (D) Incumbent No Response
Mike McGavick (R) Challenger No Response
Bruce Guthrie (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
Robin Adair (Independent) Challenger No Response
Aaron Dixon (Green Party) Challenger No Response
House 1st District Jay Inslee (D) Incumbent No Response
Larry Ishmael (R) Challenger No Response
2nd District Rick Larsen (D) Incumbent No Response
Doug Roulstone (R) Challenger No Response
3rd District Brian Baird (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
Michael Messmore (R) Challenger No Response
4th District Doc Hastings (R) Incumbent No Response
Richard Wright (D) Challenger No Response
5th District Cathy McMorris (R) Incumbent No Response
Peter Goldmark (D) Challenger No Response
6th District Norm Dicks (D) Incumbent No Response
Doug Cloud (R) Challenger No Response
7th District Jim McDermott (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
Steve Beren (R) Challenger No Response
Linnea Noreen (Independent) Challenger No Response
8th District Dave Reichert (R) Incumbent No Response
Darcy Burner (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
9th District Adam Smith (D) Incumbent No Response
Steven Cofchin (R) Challenger No Response
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WEST VIRGINIA
Senate Robert Byrd (D) Incumbent No Response
John Raese (R) Challenger No Response
House 1st District Alan Mollohan (D) Incumbent No Response
Christopher Wakim (R) Challenger No Response
2nd District Shelley Capito (R) Incumbent No Response
Mike Callaghan (D) Challenger No Response
3rd District Nick Rahall (D) Incumbent No Response
Kim Wolfe (R) Challenger No Response
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WISCONSIN
Senate Herb Kohl (D) Incumbent No Response
Robert Lorge (R) Challenger No Response
David Redick (Libertarian) Challenger No Response
Ben Glatzel (Independent) Challenger No Response
Rae Vogeler (Green Party) Challenger No Response
House 1st District Paul Ryan (R) Incumbent Responded that he does not complete political questionnaires.
Jeffrey Thomas (D) Challenger No Response
2nd District Tammy Baldwin (D) Incumbent Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter with following addendum: I have supported legislation such as HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act -- that would lift restrictions on federal funding for this important research. I was honored to serve as part of the team that worked to pass HR 810 and to try to override the President's veto of this legislation. I will continue to support such legislation and work for its passage into law.
Dave Magnum (R) Challenger No Response
3rd District Ron Kind (D) Incumbent No Response
Paul Nelson (R) Challenger No Response
4th District Gwendolynne Moore (D) Incumbent Received following response: I believe in the promise that embryonic stem cell research offers to end the suffering of 100 million patients with cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and other debilitating diseases and disorders.
I have supported federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, I voted for HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, that would lift restrictions on federal funding for this important research. I intend to continue to vote for legislation such as HR 810 in the future.
Perfecto Rivera (R) Challenger No Response
5th District F. Sensenbrenner (R) Incumbent No Response
Bryan Kennedy (D) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter with following addendum: The issue of stem cell research is not without controversy. I am an active church-goer and a Sunday shcool teacher, but I am also a college academic who believes in the power of science to find cures for many illnesses.
I believe that God has given us the gift of human intelligence. With that intelligence we should do everything within our power to further human understanding of our unvierse. I believe that God does work miracles, but many of those miracles come when He sheds light on the understanding of the physical laws of our universe. Rather than heal one individual through isolated miracles, He makes it possible for us to heal thousands or even millions.
Stem cell research is one of the cutting edge areas where we have the potential to make great progress in the near future. I support the use of human stem cells, such as those left over from human in vitro fertilization efforts for medical research. I DO NOT support the harvesting of stem cells just for research, however. Likewise, I do not see an issue with using stem cells that result from everyday medical practices and procedures that are a part of standard and acceptable medical best practice.
I also support the great depth of stem cell research that is being done in the state of Wisconsin and believe that we need to fund that research at the University of Wisconsin and the Medical College of Wisconsin in order to further our medical advancements. Stem cell research is yet one more area where common sense says that we must study, but we must do so in an ethically responsible way.
Robert Raymond (Independent) Challenger No Response
Bob Levis (Green Party) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
6th District Thomas Petri (R) Incumbent No Response
7th District David Obey (D) Incumbent No Response
Nick Reid (R) Challenger No Response
Mike Miles (Green Party) Challenger Supports CAMR Position/Signed CAMR Letter
8th District John Gard (R) Incumbent No Response
Steven Kagen (D) Challenger No Response
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WYOMING
Senate Craig Thomas (R) Incumbent No Response
Dale Groutage (D) Challenger No Response
House 1st District Barbara Cubin (R) Incumbent No Response
Gary Trauner (D) Challenger No Response
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