Bush vetoes stem cell bill; House can’t override

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‘Fetal farming’ measure rebuffed
As he vetoed the bill, he signed another that was passed unanimously in both chambers that would ban "fetal farming," the prospect of raising and aborting fetuses for scientific research. "Human beings are not a raw material to be exploited, or a commodity to be bought or sold, and this bill will help ensure that we respect the fundamental ethical line," Bush said, drawing a shout of "Amen!" from one of the fathers on stage with him.

Bush said he was disappointed that Congress failed to pass a third bill that would encourage adult stem cell research. Opponents said it would have given lawmakers political cover for opposing the embryonic stem cell bill. But Bush said it would fund vital and ethical research, and he would direct his administration to pursue this kind of science.

Lobbying effort fails
Pleadings from celebrities, a former first lady and some fellow Republicans had failed to move Bush. He acted after two days of often wrenching emotional debate in Congress, punctuated by stories of personal and family suffering, that had cast lawmakers into the intersection of politics, morality and science.

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House and Senate Democrats said Bush's calls for bipartisanship on other issues will be undermined by his veto of a bill that succeeded with the support of lawmakers of both parties.

Some are predicting the veto could hurt GOP congressional candidates in close races this November. And the issue split the Republican senators who are thinking about running to replace Bush in the White House in 2008.

Bipartisan disagreement
Sens. Sam Brownback of Kansas, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and George Allen of Virginia sided with Bush in opposing the bill. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee and Sen. John McCain of Arizona voted for the increased federal funding.

"I am pro-life, but I disagree with the president's decision to veto the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act," said Frist. "Given the potential of this research and the limitations of the existing lines eligible for federally funded research, I think additional lines should be made available."

Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., a co-sponsor of the House bill, submitted 11,000 signatures urging Bush to sign the measure and said of his veto: "He is doing that on the backs of tens of millions of Americans."

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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