Stem cell battle not over say some in Congress

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A day after President George W. Bush voiced support for limited federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, several members of Congress vowed to push forward proposals that go further than Bush's plan.

In a nationally televised speech Thursday night, Bush said he would allow funding for research using only an existing 60 lines, or colonies, of stem cells.

VIDEO Watch President Bush's speech on federal funding for stem cell research (Part 1) (August 9) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Watch President Bush's speech on federal funding for stem cell research (Part 2) (August 9) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) More video     MORE STORIES Bush to allow limited stem cell funding   Adult stem cells or embryonic? Scientists differ   Reaction mixed to stem cell decision     EXTRA INFORMATION Reaction:Political, ethical, medical   In-depth: The stem cell debate     RESOURCES Message Board: Stem cells and cloning     What President Bush's decision means Bush will allow federal funding for research on 60 lines of embryonic stem cells. These lines of cells have the ability to regenerate themselves indefinitely but not all have been approved by the National Institutes of Health, which sets federal standards for research. Embryonic stem cells have the potential to turn into any other kind of cell in the body, and have been looked to as possible treatments for Alzheimer's disease and Type I diabetes.

Despite criticism from both the left and right, reaction overall was largely positive. Fifty percent of those surveyed in a CNN/USA Today polled approved of Bush's decision, with 25 percent opposed and another 25 percent expressing no opinion.

While reaction from both parties was similarly muted, some Congressmen announced plans to pursue the issue further when they return to Washington in September.

A spokesman for Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Massachusetts, announced Friday that his Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will hold hearings in September to take a "broad" look at the issue of embryonic stem cell research and Bush's decision.

Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pennsylvania, said he still intends to push for a vote on a bill he introduced that would allow federal funding for research using stem cells derived from frozen embryos at fertility clinics that would otherwise be discarded.

A spokesman for another moderate Republican, Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine, said she would likely vote for legislation allowing federal funds for broader research.

And Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tennessee, a key Bush ally, former heart surgeon and leading voice on health issues, is "looking at options" for further action on embryonic stem cell funding, according to a spokeswoman, "but there is no legislation yet."

On the House side, Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colorado, a co-sponsor of a bill that would allow broader federal funding for the research, said she planned to consult with scientists to determine the impact of Bush's limits on funding. If she determines that Bush's plan will hinder research progress, DeGette said she would push her bill.

"We're going to have to talk to our colleagues and really find out what the scientific effect of this is," she said on CNN's Inside Politics. "We're prepared to move forward if we think that this decision by the president really is going to limit research."

In another sign the political battle is far from over, Bush aides fanned out Friday, giving TV and radio interviews and making telephone calls around the country to assess the potential fallout -- and to explain the decision to disgruntled conservative supporters.

"What he is doing is offering a solution -- a solution that will give hope and promise to many Americans afflicted with these life-threatening diseases but also being very principled in the decision that he made back during the campaign that we should not use taxpayer funds to further the destruction of additional human embryos," White House Communications Director Dan Bartlett said.

Presidential counselor Karen Hughes insisted on Friday that Bush's decision was "ethical" and not "political."

"President Bush is a leader who has very strong convictions and also a tremendous heart," Hughes said. "He worked to achieve a solution that recognized the tremendous hopes of those who suffer from terrible illnesses and those who long for a cure, as we all do."

-- CNN Correspondents John King, Jonathan Karl and Elizabeth Cohen and Producer Dana Bash contributed to this report.