The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research ("CAMR") has issued the following Action Alert regarding S. 5, the Stem Cell Enhancement Act.
For all those who support embryonic stem cell research and wish to roll bach President Bush's stifiling ristrictions on this vital research, please take action.
We are reaching out to you because we are at the threshold of a major advance and need action from every CAMR grassroots member across the country. With your past help, CAMR has led the charge resulting in historic votes on stem cell research in both the U.S. House of the Representatives and in the U.S. Senate. Another such vote is expected in the Senate the week of April 9, 2007. Please act now to help us prepare.
A Senate Vote Is Expected Soon
As you know, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R.3) passed the House of Representatives earlier this year. The Senate will soon begin its own stem cell debate and bring up two bills for consideration on April 9, 2007.
The bills debated will be the Senate version of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (S. 5) and an "alternative" bill authored by Senator Isakson of Georgia . Votes on the two bills are expected on either April 11th or April 12th. There will be no amendments allowed and both bills will require 60 votes each to pass.
S.5 has been modified from earlier versions and will now include the language from S. 2754, a stem cell bill which was passed by the Senate last year without opposition. This new section simply encourages the NIH to pursue other forms of stem cell research. CAMR remains fully in support of S.5 with these changes.
The "alternative bill" by Senator Isakson has not been introduced and does not yet have a bill number. We have seen an early draft of the bill and CAMR will likely not take a position on this legislation. The bill does not change current policy in any meaningful way.
Our message is simple - there is one bill that matters, one vote that will advance stem cell research, one vote for patients, and that is a vote for S.5.
Contact Your Senators NOW
The Senate will soon break for a "Spring Recess" from March 31 to April 9, 2007. During this time your senators will leave Washington , DC and should be in your home state attending local events and meetings. Call their district offices now and find out if there are local events you can attend or if you can schedule your own meeting while your senators are in town. Be sure to let them know you are calling in support of S.5, The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act and that you expect the senator to vote in favor of the bill.
Thank you for everything you do. We will contact you during the week of the vote for instructions on calling Senators in their Washington, DC offices. For now, please work on making contact with your Senators while they are in the state.
Sincerely,
Sean Tipton
CAMR President