Paul Ryan on Stem Cell Research

Summary

Congressman Ryan's voting record shows that he opposes government funding of stem cell research. He voted in favor of the The Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act, and the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005. He voted against the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act each time it came up for a vote.

In July of 2006, Congressman Ryan noted his opposition to the use of federal tax dollars for research that relies upon the ongoing destruction of human embryos. He asserted that the current congressional debate about embryonic stem cell research is not about its legality as universities and others are allowed to destroy embryos for research purposes using non-federal funds. He stated that the main question now before Congress and the President is whether taxpayers should have to pay for stem cell research that destroys human embryos – a practice that many Americans, including many of those he represented, believe is morally wrong.

Not About Legality

In July of 2006, Congressman Ryan issued a press statement noting his views on the stem cell legislation and the fact that the debate was not about legality but rather about whether federal taxpayers would be required to pay for the research.

Ryan Statement on Stem Cell Votes

July 18, 2006
WASHINGTON – Following today’s Senate passage of three bills related to stem cell research, the House of Representatives voted to approve one of these bills, which it had not yet considered: S. 3504, the Fetus Farming Prohibition Act, which would prohibit the buying or selling of tissue from human fetuses gestated for research purposes. The House also voted on S. 2754, the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act, to bolster stem cell research that does not destroy human embryos; however, the bill did not achieve the necessary 2/3 vote required for House passage under suspension of the rules. Wisconsin’s First District Congressman Paul Ryan voted in favor of these two measures.

Ryan voted in May 2005 against separate legislation, H.R. 810, which the Senate passed today, because it calls for the use of federal tax dollars for research that relies upon the ongoing destruction of human embryos.

In light of the Senate’s approval of H.R. 810, as well as today’s House vote on legislation that would support promising stem cell research that does not destroy human life, Ryan made the following statement:

“The current congressional debate about embryonic stem cell research is not about its legality. Today, universities and others are allowed to destroy embryos for research purposes using non-federal funds. The main question now before Congress and the President is whether taxpayers should have to pay for stem cell research that destroys human embryos – a practice that many Americans, including many of those I represent, believe is morally wrong. I firmly believe they must not be forced to finance such research and, if the President vetoes H.R. 810 as expected, I intend to vote to sustain this veto,” Ryan said.

“We should respect life in its earliest, most vulnerable stages, at the same time that we pursue scientific advances to cure debilitating diseases. This is why it’s especially important that we find ways to ethically tap the potential of non-embryonic stem cells from adult tissues and umbilical cord blood. Our federal government does not have to choose between advancing new therapies and adhering to strict ethical standards. We can achieve both and uphold the trust of American taxpayers, including those who believe, as I do, that the destruction of human embryos for research is wrong,” Ryan said.  

Voting Record

Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007

The bill came back up for another vote in roll call 443 where it passed 247-146 before it was vetoed by President Bush. Paul Ryan voted against the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007.

Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007

In January 2007, the Senate passed S 5 - the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act with wide support from Democrats and moderate support from Republicans. The Act required the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo. Specific limitations were put in place to ensure that the embryos would not have been used for other purposes and were not created specifically for research. The bill passed both the house and senate, but was vetoed by President Bush. Paul Ryan voted against the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007.

Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005

In 2006, an initial effort to pass a stem cell research bill through congress was also vetoed by President Bush. The veto override failed to achieve the necessary 2/3 majority.. Paul Ryan voted against overturning the veto on the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005.

The Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act

In 2006, the Senate passed the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act. Although it was widely supported in the Senate, it did not reach the 2/3 necessary to pass the House without objection in a 273-154 vote. Paul Ryan voted in favor of the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act.

Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005

In 2005, Congress passed the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005. The bill set up requirements for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to contract with qualified cord blood stem cell banks to assist in the '); echo('collection and maintenance of 150,000 new units of high-quality cord blood to be made available for transplantation through the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program. The bill passed almost unanimously in roll call 205. Paul Ryan voted in favor of the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005.

Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act

In May of 2005, the House passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. This legislation would have allowed research on human embryonic stem cells created after President Bush's 2001 deadline. The measure passed the House and Senate, but was vetoed. It passed the House 238-194. Paul Ryan voted against the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.

Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation

This representative has not been identified as sponsoring or cosponsoring significant legislation related to this title.

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