First-ever Stem Cell Hearing In The House

WASHINGTON – Energy and Commerce Committee ViceChair Diana DeGette (D-CO), the chief architect of the Stem CellResearch Enhancement Act, today applauded the Energy and CommerceHealth Subcommittee for scheduling the first-ever Congressional hearingin the House of Representatives on stem cell research. The hearingentitled, "Stem Cell Science: The Foundation for Future Cures," will beheld on Thursday, May 8th.

"I am extremely pleased that my Committee is holding the first-everCongressional hearing in the House on stem cell research," saidDeGette. "There have been tremendous scientific advances since the lastCongress debated the state of stem cell research. I look forward todiscussing with our witnesses now where we should go next with thispotentially life-saving research. This hearing will help to lay theground work going forward."

DeGette's stem cell bill, vetoed twice by President George W. Bush,achieved broad, bipartisan support in both the House and Senate duringthe 109th and 110th Congresses. It was President Bush's very firstPresidential veto in 2006.