Denver - Colorado Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak today called on Republican Senator Wayne Allard to join Democrats in fighting to expand research into life-saving stem cell research. After years of having Republicans like President Bush and Colorado Republicans play politics with the issue, Democrats in Congress are working to increase federal funding for stem cell research and expand the number of stem cell lines available for federally-funded research.

Earlier this year, House Democrats voted to expand this critical research, which would help give hope to 100 million Americans affected by debilitating or life-threatening diseases and their families. Later this week, Democrats in the Senate have scheduled votes on the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, which would remove the President’s restrictions and expand the number of human embryonic stem cells eligible for federally-funded research.

"Strong Democratic leaders in both houses of Congress are taking a stand for the American people by working to expand federal funding for critical stem cell research," said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak. "This critical research offers hope for patients who suffer from debilitating ailments like multiple sclerosis, diabetes, Parkinson’s, spinal cord injuries and Alzheimer’s and their families, but the Bush Republicans have consistently put politics ahead of the American people and ahead of sound science by limiting it.

"The American people went to the polls and demanded change last November, and one of the things they asked for was real leadership that put compassion and sound science ahead of partisanship. Now that Democrats are providing that leadership, Republicans like Senator Wayne Allard have an obligation to the people of our state to do the right thing and join Democrats in passing these bills and fighting President Bush’s threat to veto expanded stem cell research."