Maryland House and Senate Trade Blows Over Stem Cell Research

Highlighting the debate in Maryland, both the state Senate and House have approved significantly different bills funding research on stem cells taken from human embryos.

Barely a month is left for regional decision makers to resolve their differences.

Maryland Senate leaders hope the House will accept their bill so that any additional legislation doesn't have to return to the Senate floor.

"Part of the House's thinking should be the difficulty in this body," said Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, D-Calvert, who had to work hard to get the votes to shut off a short-lived filibuster Wednesday.

House Speaker Michael Busch, stated that following Wednesday's vote major flaws are within the Senate bill. He specifically pointed to the the fact that it does not require that any money be provided for stem cell research.

The House bill would provide $25 million a year in the state budget for stem cell research grants without administrative controls. However, Senate's bill would permit the governor to decide whether money would be appropriated and how much.


Stem cell bill passes Senate; future uncertain