What Is Happening in Congress?

We have seen action on stem cell research before, but this time there are probably enough votes to override a veto. Stem cell research may lead to advances that benefit several diseases, including MS. It will take a long time for the research to produce usable medication, so they may as well get started. See how your senators voted here.

Congress is taking steps in the right direction for Medicare "in the home" restriction legislation. Twenty senators and almost that many congressmen have signed the Dear Colleague letter supporting MS research funding.

• Senate
  Barack Obama – IL (sponsor)
  Norm Coleman – MN (sponsor)
  Dick Durbin – IL
  John Warner – VA
  Ted Kennedy – MA
  Jim Bunning – KY
  John Kerry – MA
  Barbara Boxer – CA
  Jeff Bingaman – NM
  Amy Klobuchar – MN
  Jack Reed – RI
  Debbie Stabenow – MI
  Joe Lieberman – CT
  Sheldon Whitehouse – RI
  Bernie Sanders – VT
  Bob Casey – PA
  Daniel Akaka – HI
  Maria Cantwell – WA
  Arlen Specter – PA
  Richard Burr – NC
  Robert Menendez – NJ

  House
  Russ Carnahan – MO 3rd (sponsor)
  Rick Renzi – AZ 1st (sponsor)
  Henry Waxman – CA 30th
  Lois Capps – CA 23rd
  Allyson Schwartz – PA 13th
  Peter Roskam – IL 6th
  John Sarbanes – MD 3rd
  Jim Langevin – RI 2nd
  Patrick Kennedy – RI 1st
  Carolyn McCarthy - NY 4th
  John Conyers – MI 14th
  Todd Platts – PA 19th
  John Larson – CT 1st
  Chris Shays – CT 4th
  Collin Peterson – MN 7th
  Dennis Moore – KS 3rd
  Ed Towns – NY 10th
  Barney Frank – MA 4th
  

If your congressman or senator is not on the list, remind them they can sign anytime before April 20.

Currently being evaluated is legislation to approve biogeneric drugs so medication costs can be reduced.

technorati tags: legislationimportanttomsers, stemcellresearch, medicareinthehomerestrictions, dearcolleagueletter, msresearchfunding, biogenericdruglegislation, ms, multiplesclerosis, msadvocacy, downthemspath,