mr. speaker , i support h.r. 810 , the stem cell research enhancement act .  stem cell research holds the potential to improve the lives of millions of americans suffering from diseases like cancer , heart disease , and diabetes .  i believe we should do all we can to support this research , and it is why i am so frustrated at the bush administration 's attempts to stop it .  nih said that u.s. scientists are falling behind because of the bush 2001 limitations on stem cell research .  elizabeth nable of the national heart , lung and blood institute said , `` because u.s. researchers who depend on federal funds lack access to newer human embryonic stem cell lines , they are at a technological disadvantage relative to researchers funded by california , as well as investigators in asia and europe .  my home state of california has already moved ahead of the federal government by establishing the institute for regenerative medicine , which will devote $ 3 billion to embryonic stem cell research over the next 10 years .  this bill is a modest proposal compared to california 's , but it is still an important step ; and that is why it is supported by all the major educational research institutions in california .  i include their letter of support in the record .  let us not drive this research overseas .  may 19 , 2005 .  dear representative lofgren : we are writing to express our support for changing federal policy on human embryonic stem cell research to allow an expansion in available cell lines .  as you probably know , a vote on legislation that would alter current policy is expected in the coming weeks , and we urge your `'yes '' vote .  embryonic stem cells hold the potential for new cures and therapies for an array of life-threatening diseases affecting millions of americans across the nation .  this potential will be enhanced by the bipartisan stem cell research enhancement act ( h.r. 810 ) , introduced by representatives michael castle ( r-de ) and diana degette ( d-co ) and co-sponsored by more than 200 members of the house of representatives .  the castle-degette bill would expand current policy to allow federal funding for research with stem cell lines discovered after the mandated august 9 , 2001 , cut-off date as well as lines derived in the future .  with regard to future stem cell lines , the bill applies only to lines derived from days-old blastocysts that otherwise would be discarded from in vitro fertilization clinics , but that instead are voluntarily donated to research by consenting individuals , without compensation .  further , this legislation would ensure the development of ethical guidelines for research with embryonic stem cell lines .  california has moved ahead by establishing the institute for regenerative medicine , which will devote $ 3 billion to embryonic stem cell research over the next ten years .  the provisions within h.r. 810 are more restrictive than those of the california initiative ; however , h.r. 810 is crucial because it will make a significant difference to nationwide federal research programs .  this expansion in policy will further facilitate and accelerate the research conducted in our state .  when the current federal embryonic stem cell research policy went into effect in 2001 , the notion was that 78 cell lines would be available for research .  currently , only 22 are actually available to researchers ; many others have been found unsuitable .  furthermore , a number of the available lines are entangled with commercial interests making the cells too expensive or impossible for nih-funded investigators to obtain .  for these reasons , the existing embryonic stem cell lines do not provide a sufficient supply to advance the research to its full potential .  embryonic stem cells offer the potential to reverse diseases and disabilities experienced by millions of americans .  stem cell research is still very new .  thus , we have a collective responsibility -- scientists , university leaders , and government leaders -- to support the exploration of the promising possibilities of both embryonic and adult stem cell research for curing and preventing disease .  please support scientific advancement and the possibility of new cures by voting `` yes '' on h.r. 810 to expand federal stem cell research policy .  sincerely , & lt ; center & gt ; robert c. dynes , & lt ; /center & gt ; & lt ; center & gt ; & lt ; em & gt ; president , university of california. & lt ; /em & gt ; & lt ; center & gt ; steven b. sample , & lt ; /center & gt ; & lt ; center & gt ; & lt ; em & gt ; president , university of southern california. & lt ; /em & gt ; & lt ; center & gt ; david baltimore , & lt ; /center & gt ; & lt ; center & gt ; & lt ; em & gt ; president , california institute of technology. & lt ; /em & gt ; & lt ; center & gt ; john l. hennessy , & lt ; /center & gt ; & lt ; center & gt ; & lt ; em & gt ; president , stanford university. & lt ; /em & gt ; 