<![CDATA[BBC NEWS | Americas | Senate defies Bush on stem cells:
The US Senate has voted to ease restrictions on using federal funds for stem-cell research, defying the threat of a veto by President George W Bush.
The Democrat-controlled Senate passed the vote with a majority of 63 to 24 – just short of the two-thirds required to override a presidential veto.
With that kind of margin, moderate Republicans are likely to drive a stake through the lifeless heart of the Administration on stem cells, not the war. It’s an easier vote on which to show their independence than Iraq funding. But once a president falls, they lose support across the board. Congress will listen to and represent the dissatisfaction of the people, beating Bush’s veto there, as well.]]>