Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 01/12/2007 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 6.

Bill Text
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research. 1/11/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo, provided such embryos: (1) have been donated from in vitro fertilization clinics; (2) were created for the purposes of fertility treatment; (3) were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment and would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded (as determined in consultation with the individuals seeking fertility treatment);[...]

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Latest Action: 04/16/2007 - Received in the House.

Bill Text
A bill to intensify research to derive human pluripotent stem cell lines. 4/11/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Hope Offered through Principled and Ethical Stem Cell Research Act or the HOPE Act - (Sec. 3) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, or testing of stem cells, including pluripotent stem cells that have the flexibility of embryonic stem cells (whether or not they have an embryonic source), that may result in improved understanding of or treatments for diseases and other adverse health conditions, provided that such techniques do not involve: (1) the creation of a human embryo or embryos for research purposes; or (2) the destruction or discarding of, or [...]

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Latest Action: 06/20/2007 - Veto message received in Senate. Ordered held at the desk.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research. 6/7/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.) Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo. Limits such research to stem cells that meet the following ethical requirements: (1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics for the purpose of fertility treatment and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment; (2) the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would [...]

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Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to derive human pluripotent stem cell lines using techniques that do not knowingly harm embryos. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapy Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, or testing of pluripotent stem cells that have the flexibility of embryonic stem cells (whether or not they have an embryonic source) and that may result in improved understanding of, or treatments for, diseases and other adverse health conditions, provided that such techniques do not involve: (1) the creation of a viable human embryo for research purposes; or (2) the destruction or discarding of a human embryo or embryos; or (3) knowingly subjecting a human embryo or embryos to risk of injury or death greater than that allowed for federal research on fetuses in utero under current law. Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide guidance [...]

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Latest Action: 01/05/2007 - Considered as unfinished business.

Bill Text
Adopting the Rules of the House of Representatives for the One Hundred Tenth Congress. 1/5/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Title I: Adoption of Rules of One Hundred Ninth Congress - (Sec. 101) Adopts the Rules of the House of Representatives for the 109th Congress as the Rules for the 110th Congress, with amendments. Title II: Ethics - (Sec. 202) Amends Rule XXIII (Code of Official Conduct) to prohibit Members, with the intent to influence on the basis of partisan political affiliation an employment decision or practice of private entities, from: (1) taking or withholding, or offering or threatening to to take or withhold, an official act; or (2) influencing, or offering or threatening to influence, the official act of another. (Sec. 203) Amends Rule [...]

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Latest Action: 06/25/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H7063-7065)

Bill Text
To derive human pluripotent stem cell lines using techniques that do not harm human embryos.

1/9/2007--Introduced.

Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, or testing of stem cells that are capable of producing all or almost all of the cell types of the developing body and may result in improved understanding of treatments for diseases and other adverse health conditions, but are not derived from a human embryo.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide guidance concerning the next steps required for additional research; (2) prioritize research with the greatest potential for near-term clinical benefit; and (3) take into account techniques outlined by the President's Council on Bioethics and any other appropriate techniques and research.

Latest Action: 01/23/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to expand the number of embryonic stem cell lines available for federally funded research.

1/23/2007--Introduced.

Stem Cell Research Expansion Act - Authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to provide funding for research on embryonic stem cell lines that were created prior to January 23, 2006, that does not result in the use of federal funding to destroy an embryo.

Latest Action: 01/23/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to provide increased Federal funding for stem cell research, to expand the number of embryonic stem cell lines available for Federally funded research, to provide ethical guidelines for stem cell research, to derive human pluripotent stem cell lines using techniques that do not create an embryo or embryos for research or knowingly harm human embryo or embryos, and for other purposes. 1/23/2007--Introduced. Hope Offered through Principled, Ethically-Sound Stem Cell Research Act or the HOPE Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, or testing of pluripotent stem cells that have the flexibility of embryonic stem cells and that may result in improved understanding of, or treatments for, diseases and other adverse health conditions, provided that such techniques do not involve: (1) the creation of a viable human embryo for research purposes; (2) the destruction [...]

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Latest Action: 03/08/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2905)

Bill Text
A bill to prohibit human cloning and protect stem cell research. 3/8/2007--Introduced. Human Cloning Ban and Stem Cell Research Protection Act of 2007 - Prohibits: (1) conducting or attempting to conduct human cloning; (2) shipping the product of nuclear transplantation in interstate or foreign commerce for the purpose of human cloning in the United States or elsewhere; or (3) exporting to a foreign country an unfertilized blastocyst if such country does not prohibit human cloning. Sets forth criminal and civil penalties for violations. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the relevant congressional committees on: (1) actions taken to enforce such prohibitions; (2) actions of state attorneys general to enforce similar state laws; (3) coordination of federal, state, and local enforcement; and (4) international laws relating to human cloning. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require research involving nuclear transplantation to be conducted in accordance [...]

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Latest Action: 03/22/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for the collection and maintenance of amniotic fluid and placental stem cells for the treatment of patients and research.

3/22/2007--Introduced.

Amniotic Fluid and Placental Stem Cell Banking Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into one-time contracts with qualified amniotic fluid and placental stem cell banks to assist in the collection and maintenance of 100,000 new units of high-quality amniotic fluid and placental stem cells to be made available for treatment though the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation and Treatment Program. Sets forth provisions relating to requirements for contract recipients, the duration of such contracts, and extensions of funding under such contracts.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the Program to provide for amniotic fluid and placental stem cell functions, recruitment, and educational activities.

Authorizes appropriations for the Program through FY2012.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 07/08/2008 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Harkin. With written report No. 110-410.

Bill Text
An original bill making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 7/8/2008--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 - Title I: Department of Labor - Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2009 - Makes appropriations for FY2009 to the Department of Labor for: (1) the Employment and Training Administration, including training and employment services; (2) community service employment for older Americans; (3) federal unemployment benefits and allowances; (4) state unemployment insurance and employment service operations; (5) advances to [...]

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Latest Action: 04/24/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit human-animal hybrids.

4/24/2008--Introduced.

Human-Animal Hybrid Prohibition Act of 2008- Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit and to set penalties for: (1) creating or attempting to create a human-animal hybrid (a being with human and non-human tissue as specified in this Act); (2) transferring or attempting to transfer a human embryo into a non-human womb, or a non-human embryo into a human womb; or (3) transporting or receiving for any purpose a human-animal hybrid.

Latest Action: 04/15/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a Federal income tax credit for certain stem cell research expenditures.

4/15/2008--Introduced.

Ethical Stem Cell Research Tax Credit Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 30% of qualified stem cell research expenses paid or incurred in a taxable year. Defines "qualified stem cell research expenses" as expenses for carrying out basic and applied research to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, testing, and human clinical use of stem cells that may result in improved understanding of or treatments for diseases and other adverse health conditions. Prohibits a tax credit for any research expenses that may involve: (1) the creation of a human embryo for research purposes; (2) the destruction of or discarding of, or risk of injury to, a human embryo; or (3) the use of any stem cell for prohibited purposes.

Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14490-14491)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit human-animal hybrids.

11/15/2007--Introduced.

Human-Animal Hybrid Prohibition Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit and to set penalties for: (1) creating or attempting to create a human-animal hybrid (a being with human and non-human tissue as specified in this Act); (2) transferring or attempting to transfer a human embryo into a non-human womb, or a non-human embryo into a human womb; or (3) transporting or receiving for any purpose a human-animal hybrid.

Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the question of passage, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding.

Bill Text
Making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. 11/7/2007--Senate receded and concurred with amendment.    (There are 4 other summaries) Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for FY2008. Title I: Department of Labor - Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for FY2008 to the Department of Labor for: (1) the Employment and Training Administration, including training and employment services; (2) community service employment for older Americans; (3) federal unemployment benefits and allowances; (4) state unemployment insurance and employment service operations; (5) advances to the Unemployment [...]

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Latest Action: 09/11/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
To amend the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, and title 10, United States Code, to require coverage for the treatment of infertility. 6/27/2007--Introduced. Family Building Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to require a group health plan that provides coverage for obstetrical services to include coverage for non-experimental treatment of infertility that is deemed appropriate by a participant or beneficiary and the treating physician. Requires coverage for assisted reproductive technology only if certain conditions are met. Prohibits a group health plan from taking specified actions to avoid the requirements of this Act.Applies such requirements to health insurance coverage offered in the individual market and coverage offered through Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) plans and Department of Defense [...]

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Latest Action: 06/21/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To intensify stem cell research showing evidence of substantial clinical benefit to patients, and for other purposes. 6/21/2007--Introduced. Patients First Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support basic and applied research to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, testing, and human clinical use of stem cells that may result in improved understanding of, or treatments for, diseases and other adverse health conditions, including pluripotent stem cells that have the flexibility of embryonic stem cells (whether or not such pluripotent stem cells have an embryonic source), provided that such techniques will not involve: (1) the creation of a human embryo for research purposes; (2) the destruction or discarding of, or risk of injury to, a living human embryo; or (3) the use of any stem cell the derivation or provision of which would be inconsistent with this Act.Requires [...]

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Latest Action: 07/16/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit human cloning.

6/5/2007--Introduced.

Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit any public or private person or entity, in or affecting interstate commerce, from: (1) performing or attempting to perform human cloning; (2) participating in an attempt to perform human cloning; or (3) shipping, receiving, or importing the product of human cloning for any purpose. Sets forth criminal and civil penalties for violations.

Provides that nothing in this Act shall restrict areas of scientific research not specifically prohibited by this Act, including research in the use of nuclear transfer or other cloning techniques to produce molecules, DNA, cells other than human embryos, tissues, organs, plants, or animals other than humans.

Latest Action: 04/16/2007 - Received in the House.

Bill Text
A bill to intensify research to derive human pluripotent stem cell lines. 4/11/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Hope Offered through Principled and Ethical Stem Cell Research Act or the HOPE Act - (Sec. 3) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, or testing of stem cells, including pluripotent stem cells that have the flexibility of embryonic stem cells (whether or not they have an embryonic source), that may result in improved understanding of or treatments for diseases and other adverse health conditions, provided that such techniques do not involve: (1) the creation of a human embryo or embryos for research purposes; or (2) the destruction or discarding of, or [...]

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Latest Action: 03/29/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4173-4174)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to prohibit human cloning. 3/29/2007--Introduced. Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit any person or entity, in or affecting interstate commerce, from knowingly: (1) performing or attempting to perform human cloning; (2) participating in such an attempt; or (3) shipping or receiving an embryo produced by human cloning or any product derived from such an embryo. Prohibits knowingly importing such an embryo. Sets forth criminal and civil penalties. Provides that nothing in this Act restricts areas of scientific research not specifically prohibited, including research in the use of nuclear transfer or other cloning techniques to produce molecules, DNA, cells other than human embryos, tissues, organs, plants, or animals other than humans. Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess the need to amend such prohibition, including through: (1) a discussion [...]

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