Stem Cell Legislation Passes, Veto Likely

None by KCPW

Hatch Doubts Override

(KCPW News) Earlier this afternoon the Senate voted 63-37 to expand taxpayer-funded research of embryonic stem cells. Senator Orrin Hatch questions the will of Congress to override what likely will be the first-ever veto for President George Bush: "That veto would have to be overridden first in the House, because that's where they go first," explains Hatch, adding, "I question whether we have the requisite two-thirds votes necessary to over-ride a veto."

Hatch says the time has come to have this debate, especially for the benefit of the American public. That may be difficult, given that stem cell research flies in the face of President Bush's pro-life principles. Hatch respectfully disagrees: "I think he's wrong in his interpretation of it, but I would never accuse him of pandering to anybody or trying to play politics with it - nor do I think anybody else should accuse him. But neither should the other side accuse people like myself of playing politics either. There are sincere people on both sides."

To hear more from Senator Hatch on the stem cell research debate, click here. You can listen online or download an mp3 file of the entire Midday Metro interview.

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