A copy of the speech Schwartz delivered on the House floor follows below.

“Mr. Speaker, I rise disappointed and angered by the President’s veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. And I rise in solidarity with my 237 colleagues and the 63 Senators who voted to overturn the Bush's Administration policies that have stifled the promise of stem cell research and sound and ethical science.

“Those of us who voted to override the presidential veto, voted:

·        to maintain the United State’s stance as the world leader in medical research and scientific advancement;

·        to advance scientific discovery in an ethically and responsible manner;

·        to enhance the ability of medical professionals to care for their patients;

·        to fulfill our obligation to use our human resources and capital for the greater good; and

·        most importantly, to benefit the millions battling disease and injury.  

“Since 2001, stem cell research in the United States has been thwarted by the Bush Administration's misguided policies. And yesterday, President Bush once again let politics – not science, not the health and well-being of American families, and not the will of the majority of Americans – dictate his decision-making.

“It is a sad day when the President of United States acts to impede life-saving medical research. With this veto, President Bush failed to give American families the promise of this research. American families want cures, not politics.  And they want hope, not lost opportunities.  

“I, along with millions of Americans, am outraged, but we are not deterred. We will keep fighting, and we will succeed in defeating the President's restrictions on stem cell research.”

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