Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senate Democrats used the opportunity of Bill Frist (R-TN) declaring this week "Health Care Week" in the Senate to again press the Majority Leader to allow debate on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. Democrats sent a letter to Frist last week, invoking the stem cell legislation passed by the House (H.R. 810) and taking him to task for refusing to bring it to the Senate floor for debate.

"We understand that you are planning a week of Senate debate on legislation related to health," said the letter, signed by Reid and 40 other Democrats. "We urge you to bring the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 (H.R. 810) to the Senate floor for consideration during this 'Health Week.'"

"The House passed H.R. 810 in May 2005 -- yet the Senate has failed to take action for nearly a year. Further delay will mean more lost opportunities for new cures and new treatments. The Senate should mark the anniversary of the House vote with action, not more inaction."

Republicans have remained steadfastly opposed to stem cell research based primarily on objections from their Religious Right base, who believe it destroys human life and object to using taxpayer dollars to finance it.

Stem cells can be transformed into many types of cells, offering the potential for regenerating damaged tissue and scientists believe it may eventually lead to a cure for such diseases as diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) made a good statement on the subject last week on the Senate floor. Here's an excerpt:

"This morning across America, people got up, started their day, many of them as healthy as can be but some suffering from illness and others with members of their families suffering from serious illness. Many of the people keep going because there is the hope, just the hope, that something might come along--a treatment, a medicine--something that might give them a chance to have a full life. That is what stem cell research is all about.

"When President Bush decided to announce that it would be the policy of the United States of America to restrict scientific research involving stem cells, he ended up closing off opportunities for people to live without fear, without disease, without the shortcomings of the illnesses from which they suffer. It was a Government-mandated decision which would stop that medical research here in the United States. Across the country, some States have said: We are going to lead if the Government won't. The State of California, my State of Illinois, and others have stepped up and said: We will fund stem cell research because we believe it is so critically important. Sadly, this administration refuses. Now it will take congressional action. The House has done its job. It has passed this bill and sent it to the Senate. We have waited."

Durbin ended with a much-deserved shot at Frist for his planned assault on gay marriage and the time the GOP leadership will spend next month on a flag-burning amendment, when the country has so many other pressing issues on the table.

"He [Frist] has promised time to deal with so many issues--immigration and so many other things. He said he wants to set aside a certain piece of our schedule and devote it to a debate on gay marriage, a constitutional amendment on gay marriage," said Durbin. "What is more important? Stem cell research and medical research to find cures, that we spend the time to get that done, or 4 or 5 days on gay marriage?"

"They also want to consider a constitutional amendment on flag burning. You know, I have not noticed an epidemic of flag burning across America. I love our flag like every other American, but we are going to devote 3 or 4 or 5 days to talk about another constitutional amendment to ban flag burning? I would much rather see us put as a first priority medical research and stem cell research. Honest to goodness, when it comes down to the priorities and values of the Republican leadership, I don't understand it."

Neither do we, Senator Durbin. Neither do we.

I guess stem cell research doesn't present an opportunity for one of those up-or-down votes the GOP leadership claims to like so much.

You can reach Bob Geiger at geiger.bob@gmail.com