Senate to Consider Stem Cell Proposals

Under the terms of the agreement, the three bills will be debated for 12 hours on a date to be agreed upon by Frist and Reid -- probably next month, the leaders said. Each bill will need at least 60 votes to pass, no amendments will be allowed, and all three must pass for the package to fly.

The mix of bills offers moderate and conservative lawmakers something to offer constituents as they approach the midterm elections.

Frist surprised many last summer by expressing support for a loosening of the Bush rules -- a move some saw as a strategic element of a presumed presidential bid. Public opinion polls show strong backing for the research, which has also received vocal support from former first lady Nancy Reagan.

Yesterday he went to great pains to reassure Americans of his conservative values. "I am pro-life," he said. "I personally believe that human life begins at conception."

But the few cell colonies available to federally funded scientists under the Bush policy are aging and not as high quality as scientists had hoped, he continued. "The responsible thing to do is to come to the floor and consider modifying that policy," Frist said.

"I know this hasn't been easy," Reid said, after accepting Frist's proposed terms. And by all accounts, Reid was not exaggerating. Until an hour before the announcement, several aides said, Frist was still wrestling with a last holdout -- Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), who was threatening to voice his objection. Under Senate rules, that would have scuttled the consent agreement.

Enthusiasm for the agreement was tempered only by fears that the vote could get endlessly delayed -- a fear expressed by Reid on the Senate floor, given Frist's failure to lock in a specific date.

"I'm relying on your good faith and your word and reputation," Reid said. "I don't want to have to keep coming out here every week and saying, 'Why haven't we done this yet?' "

Frist assured Reid he would get the debate and vote scheduled soon -- "in all likelihood next month."

"I'm very pleased we now have a process in place," Frist said.