Cohen: Bush's Second Stem-Cell Research Veto as Cruel as the First

COHEN: BUSH'S SECOND STEM-CELL RESEARCH VETO AS CRUEL AS THE FIRST

President Ignores Will of Over 60 Percent of Nation; Continues to Stonewall Life-Saving Research

(ROSELLE) - Assemblyman Neil M. Cohen today accused President George W. Bush of delaying cures and perpetuating needless human suffering by using his third presidential veto to stonewall the promising potential medical benefits of embryonic stem-cell research.

Cohen (D-Union) has been one of the most vocal proponents of stem-cell research in the New Jersey Legislature, sponsoring the 2004 law that made New Jersey the second state in the nation to authorize embryonic and adult stem-cell research.  He also sponsored the state's landmark 2006 legislation directing $270 million to build stem-cell and biomedical research centers throughout New Jersey.  Currently, he is sponsoring legislation up for consideration tomorrow that would authorize $450 million in stem-cell research in New Jersey over the next decade.

Cohen issued the following statement:

"The President's adamant refusal to allow stem-cell research is a continuing disgrace and only serves to highlight how out of touch he is with America's citizens.

"He has once again ignored the will of Congress and the American people by taking this course of action.  He again has shown his callousness to the millions of Americans who continue to suffer from incurable or untreatable diseases and injuries.

"He is ignoring conservatives in his own party - like former first lady Nancy Regan, Senator Orin Hatch, and former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist - who see the need for a progressive stem cell agenda.

"The President's actions today show that he is more concerned with pushing an outdated political philosophy than he is with promoting research that could cure diseases like Children's Leukemia.

"It is now painfully obvious that stem-cell research of any kind has not - and never will - be a priority for this president or his administration.

"However, the President's legacy of failure on this issue does not have to be our own.

"It long has been my belief that when the federal government turns a blind eye to the will of the people, it falls to local legislators to create a national policy on a state by state basis.  And that is exactly what we are doing in New Jersey.

"We realize that sick and injured New Jersey residents cannot afford to wait and suffer because of failed presidential leadership on this issue.

"Instead, we are moving forward with our own commitment to stem-cell research.  Tomorrow, we will consider legislation that would empower voters to authorize $450 million in grants for stem-cell research over the next decade.

"We are going to let the people be heard.

"We are going to let the people put New Jersey at the forefront of stem-cell research.

"We are going to let the people send a message to President Bush to get out of the way of science and medical breakthroughs.

"We understand that every dollar invested in stem-cell research holds the promise of significant advances in human health, where the President does not.

"President Bush has given his final word on stem-cell research.  Tomorrow, we in New Jersey will give ours."

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