CAMR

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.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
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Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
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Ohio
Oklahoma
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Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

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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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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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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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 Fa