CDP Chair Pat Waak: “Allard chose politics over hope for millions of Americans.”

DENVER - Extremist Republican Senator Wayne Allard (R-Colorado) today joined President Bush in ignoring sound science and playing politics with the lives of millions of Americans by voting against a critical stem cell research bill. Senator Allard was one of only 37 Senate votes against H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. The bill would have greatly expanded scientists' access to stem cell lines that are currently off-limits to federally funded research under President Bush's restrictions. Senator Allard's vote follows President Bush's threat to use the first veto of his presidency to block critical stem cell research.

"By voting against this bill, Senator Allard once again showed that he is more interested in partisan politics than in sound public policy," said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak. "By putting ideology over science and the promise of life-saving treatments, President Bush and Senator Allard are choosing a small group of die-hard right wing extremists partisan politics ahead of saving American lives.

"This bill offers hope for millions of Americans, including individuals who suffer from countless ailments like Multiple Sclerosis, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and Alzheimer's, and the families that love and care for them. Senator Allard and President Bush are denying that hope to those who need it most. This is a shameful and cynical attempt to placate radicals in the right wing of the Republican Party. Democrats are fighting to provide millions of Americans with the hope of new cures and treatments that stem cell research offers. If President Bush vetoes this bill, Senator Allard owes it to his constituents to stop pandering to extremists and work to override the veto and save American lives."