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The Senate this week passed a bill to allow more research using embryonic stem cells. President Bush vetoed a previous stem-cell bill and has vowed to do the same to the Democratic-backed version the Senate passed. Republicans offered an alternative that Bush said he would sign.

Here is an AP video report on Bush’s reaction to the Senate’s decision, followed by audio excerpts of the debate:

Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., called the GOP alternative “an effective way to provide for advancements in science and give hope to those who are waiting for cures without compromising the value of life.”

Norm Coleman, R-Minn.: “[T]he science is moving so much faster than the politics here. The science is putting us in a position where we can and should explore the benefits of embroynic research … without having to cross the moral line.”

Susan Collins, R-Maine: “It makes no sense to cut off a promising source of research that could benefit from federal funds. … There are no guarantees with any scientific research, but certainly the promise is there.”

Categories: Georgia, Maine, Minnesota, Producer's Picks, Susan Collins, Norm Coleman, Health, Saxby Chambliss, Social Policy

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Increasing the minimum wage is a top priority of House Democrats for the first 100 hours of the 110th Congress, but getting that idea through the Senate may prove to be more challenging.

Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., said any increase in the wage will have to be paired with “appropriate tax concessions” like the kind Republicans unsuccessfully proposed this year before he will support it.

“[I]f they come back in that form,” he said in a conference call with reporters to close out the 109th Congress, “I think we’re going to see quick approval. But if they come in with an agenda that is slanted against the average, ordinary taxpayer, if they come in with provisions that really slam the small-business community, then I think they’re going to have a difficult time getting those passed on the Senate side.”

Chambliss also noted that House Democrats have reneged on their pledge to implement all of the intelligence reforms proposed by the commission that investigated the Sept. 11., 2001, terrorist attacks. “There is a reason why did not implement those,” he said of Republicans while they controlled Congress, “and I think it’s finally dawned on [incoming House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi that they can’t fulfill that particular campaign promise.”

Categories: Georgia, Saxby Chambliss, Security, Labor

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