In shift, Frist to back more stem cell funding

WASHINGTON -- Senate majority leader Bill Frist today will declare his support for expanding funding of embryonic stem cell research, in a break with President Bush and other conservative Republicans that could change the political dynamics around the controversial and promising form of research.

Frist, a Tennessee Republican, has indicated previously that he opposes a House-passed bill authorizing federal funding of such research, because experimenting on embryonic stem cells requires destruction of human embryos.

But according to a draft speech his office provided to The New York Times last night, Frist will take the Senate floor today to lay out his belief that Bush's 2001 policy that strictly limits such research should be expanded.

''The limitations put in place in 2001 will, over time, slow our ability to bring potential new treatments for certain diseases," Frist will say, according to the text. ''Therefore, I believe the president's policy should be modified."

The bill already enjoys wide bipartisan support and was expected to get more than 60 votes in the Senate even before Frist announced the shift in his position. But Frist's announcement could bring more Republicans onto the bill and increase pressure on the president to allow it to become law. Bush has said he would make the bill the first veto of his presidency if it reaches his desk.

Frist's announcement could also have ramifications on the 2008 presidential campaign, for which Frist is exploring a candidacy. Before this announcement, he appeared to be courting a conservative base, but conservatives are likely to feel betrayed by Frist's change in position.

In the speech, Frist will seek to square his religious faith with his belief, as a medical doctor, that embryonic stem cell research holds great promise in curing chronic illnesses.

''I believe human life begins at conception," the speech says. ''I also believe that embryonic stem cell research should be encouraged and supported."

As recently as yesterday morning, Frist rebuffed Democrats' attempts to force an immediate vote on the House-approved bill, saying he would allow such a vote only after reaching an agreement to bring up a range of other measures that are related to stem cell research. That drew a harsh rebuke from Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, who has been consistently lobbying Frist to change his mind and support the bill.

Votes are unlikely to occur until September, after the Senate returns from its August recess.