WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Based on the Senate schedule more than his personal opinions on the issue, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle Tuesday said he opposed Senate consideration of a ban on human cloning this year. Daschle said time limits made debate of a ban proposed by Kansas Republican Sam Brownback impossible, despite White House support.
The announcement Sunday that scientists had succeeded in cloning a human embryo drew outrage from religious groups, Congress, and the Bush administration, and inflamed calls for a national ban on the practice. But despite these calls for action, Daschle said that the Senate lacks the room on its calendar to address the issue before next January.
"I hope we will be able to avoid this subject (this session) because we have such a short time frame," Daschle told reporters. Congress was scheduled to adjourn on Oct. 5, but has remained around town to finish work on appropriations bills and to help resolve some legislative issues related to homeland security. Daschle has said he hopes for adjournment next week.
On Monday, Brownback rejected any such argument that the issue does not deserve immediate consideration in favor of homeland security issues.
"We must ban all human cloning; whether it is for reproductive purposes, or for destructive experimental purposes," Brownback said in a news conference. "While I realize the debate on cloning is scheduled to occur in the Senate next spring -- the events of the past day make it clear that we must act sooner. I call on Senate leadership to immediately take up and pass the House -- passed bill, which is currently being held at the desk, on human cloning.
"I hope that the Senate will act prudently on this issue, it sure beats having to make decisions that we'll regret later," Daschle said.
Daschle had already announced his opposition to human cloning, but research involved with the subject is something he has not addressed yet publicly.
