Apparently Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, who defeated my beloved Sen. Rick Santorum last November, is a pro-life Democrat and is, so far, planning to vote against the ESC research funding bill that just passed the House when it gets to the Senate floor. This is great news, however he will most likely be under tremendous pressure from supporters of the bill in Washington as they try their hardest to garner enough votes to override the President’s promised veto. Republican Sen. Arlen Specter, also from PA, has been leading the charge in on Capital Hill to expand federal funding for human ESC research plans to speak with Sen. Casey regarding this very important vote. Specter has been one of the most outspoken proponents of ESC research, swearing that, ”[T]hose who have opposed the research ought to be lobbied, ought to be advocated and ought to be brought to their senses.” While Specter has proven to be one of the more delusional supporters with his recent statement, “It is scandalous that eight years have passed since we have known about stem cell research and the potential to conquer all known maladies, and federal funds have not been available for the research,” (I don’t even need to point out the ridiculousness of that claim) I believe he could also be very persuasive based on his passion and firm belief in the potential of this research.
My point in all of this? Start lobbying Sen. Casey today! Let him know that you support his position and encourage him in his decision to oppose legislation that would expand federal funding for embryo-destructive research.
One Comment on “Bob Casey, the “Swing Vote?””
Federal funds haven’t been available for ESCR? That will come as news to the President, who has authorized millions toward it for the past few years.
Perhaps Specter is feeling confident enough with the midterm elections that he can now use phrases like “ought to be brought to their senses,” but this issue will do nothing but heat up.