I’m delighted to see Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) end up in the right place on funding for stem-cell research, and his support may help finally get this bill out of the Senate, but it’s worth taking a moment to note how Frist has been all over the map on this issue.<\/p>\n
* On July 18, 2001, Sen. Bill Frist stood on the Senate floor urging his colleagues to buck conservative orthodoxy and support federally funded research<\/a> on embryonic stem cells. As the Senate’s only physician, Frist made headlines — and gave momentum to the controversial science — with his endorsement.<\/p>\n * A month later, the White House announced a far different policy. Frist, despite his previous pronouncement, endorsed the Bush approach<\/a>.<\/p>\n * At the 2004 Republican National Convention, Frist defended Bush’s stem-cell policy<\/a>, condemned John Kerry’s approach, and told an appreciative right-wing audience, “An embryo is biologically human. It deserves moral respect.”<\/p>\n * In June 2005, Frist said<\/a>, “I agree with the president’s policy.”<\/p>\n * Earlier this month, Frist helped undermine<\/a> the House-backed stem-cell bill that was on track for Senate passage by clearing the way for five alternative stem-cell bills that would do everything but expand funding where it’s needed. Frist appeared to be giving GOP lawmakers cover to vote against a bill with broad bi-partisan and national support.<\/p>\n * Today, Frist is back where he started<\/a>.<\/p>\n In a break with President Bush, the Senate Republican leader, Bill Frist, has decided to support a bill to expand federal financing for embryonic stem cell research, a move that could push it closer to passage and force a confrontation with the White House, which is threatening to veto the measure.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n We don’t often see the flip-flop-flip, but Frist has pulled it off. Politically, this will pose an interesting challenge. Dems, including Ted Kennedy this morning, are praising Frist’s decision. The right? Not so much<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Sen. Frist should not expect support and endorsement from the pro-life community if he votes for embryonic research funding,” the Christian Defense Coalition said in a statement as Frist finished his speech.<\/p>\n “Senator Frist cannot have it both ways. He cannot be pro-life and pro-embryonic stem cell funding,” said Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the group. “Nor can he turn around and expect widespread endorsement from the pro-life community if he should decide to run for president in 2008.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n It’s hard to praise Frist too much for taking a bold stand on the issue. After literally years of wishy-washy vacillating, Frist has bravely endorsed a policy … that enjoys the broad support<\/a> of most Americans, including most Republicans.<\/p>\n
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\nJust to be clear, I congratulate Frist for coming to his senses. He’s delayed a good bill for too long, but his reversal is welcome.<\/p>\n