Bush Vetoes Stem Cell Research Bill: Far Right 2, Science and Humanity 0

Bush is so stingy with his veto pen, except for when it comes to legislation that will actually help people:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush on Wednesday vetoed legislation to expand federally funded embryonic stem cell research, triggering an uphill battle in the Democratic-led Congress to override him.

Two-thirds majority votes would be needed in the Senate and House of Representatives to overcome Bush's opposition and make the bill law, and backers conceded they are short of support.

In addition to vetoing such legislation for the second time in two years, Bush issued an executive order to encourage scientists to work with the federal government to derive new methods to obtain stem cells without harming human embryos.

Critics called the presidential order a sham and said he should have signed into law the stem-cell bill, which polls show is backed by more than 60 percent of American voters who see the measure as a way combat a host of illnesses.

"President Bush isn't fooling anyone with this executive order; and the fact that it doesn't change the policy adds insult to injury for the millions of patients who suffer every day," said Sean Tipton of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, a nonpartisan advocacy group that represents more than 100 patient and scientific organizations.