"These Boys and Girls Are NOT Spare Parts"

God bless President George W. Bush:

WASHINGTON – The "veto bubble" has finally burst. Five-and-a-half years into his presidency, George W. Bush has ended his record stretch of bill-signings as he rejected legislation Wednesday that would expand federal funding of human embryonic stem-cell research.

Attempts in Congress to override the veto, which would require a two-thirds vote, were expected to fail.

Analysts agree that President Bush's veto was risky but unavoidable. Since the issue of stem-cell research arose early in his presidency, when Mr. Bush approved federal funding of preexisting stem-cell lines, he has remained adamant that no federal monies be used on newer cell colonies. The president believes the killing of human embryos, from which stem cells are harvested, is murder, says press secretary Tony Snow.

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(emphasis added)

More from FOXNews:

WASHINGTON — President Bush vetoed the first bill of his five-and-a-half year administration Wednesday by rejecting a measure that would provide more federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research.

"In this new era, our challenge is to harness the power of science to ease human suffering without sanctioning the practices that violate the dignity of human life," Bush said in the East Room of the White House after vetoing the measure.

Bush announced his veto standing before 18 families with "snowflake babies," children born after frozen embryos that were not used were adopted by other couples.

"These children [ED.: Actually, he said "boys and girls"] are not spare parts," Bush said after several interruptions of applause from supporters. "They remind us of what is lost when embryos are destroyed in the name of research."

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Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
“Mr. President: Veto This Bill”

What a Bush Veto Would Mean for Stem Cells

Rove: Bush Will Veto Embryonic Stem Cell Bill

New Poll: Americans Continue To Oppose Funding Stem Cell Research That Destroys Human Embryos

Missouri Senator's Stem Cell Switch Imperils Re-Election

Biotechnology Industry Leader Says Cord Cells No Stand-In For Embryonic

Pro-Life Conservatives Should Prepare For Another Bush Sell-Out - This Time On Stem Cells

In Heartland, Stem Cell Research Meets Fierce Opposition

Specter Seeks Veto-Proof Stem Cell Margin

Catholic League: Frist is Worse Than Kerry on Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Cardinal Keeler Criticizes Senate Majority Leader Frist’s Statement On Embryonic Stem-Cell Research

Frist to Back Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Jeb Bush Opposes Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research