Bush took note of the House bill, but only to repeat his position: "This bill would take us across a critical ethical line by creating new incentives for the ongoing destruction of emerging human life. Crossing this line would be a great mistake."
Just how many excess frozen embryos are there out there? At last count, as Rick Weiss reported in The Washington Post two years ago: 400,000.
What Compromise?
The agreement hammered out by 14 senators on Monday grants Bush floor votes on three of his seven stalled judicial nominees -- while allowing Democrats to keep blocking two. The fate of the final two is unclear.
The agreement also calls for Bush to engage in "true consultation and cooperation" with both parties before naming future court nominees, including to the Supreme Court.
Here's what Bush had to say on the issue yesterday, during a visit to Rochester: "We got a lot to do in Washington, D.C. One of the big issues, of course, is Social Security -- although yesterday there was some progress made. I'm pleased that the Senate is moving forward on my judicial nominees who were previously being blocked. These nominees have been waiting years for an up or down vote on the Senate floor, and now they'll get one. It's about time we're making some progress."
Later, Bush met with nominee Priscilla Owen in the Oval Office. Here's the transcript . Again, he didn't say a word about those who apparently will not get a vote.
Press Secretary Scott McClellan was equally unforthcoming, though at greater length, in yesterday's gaggle :
"Q Does he consider this to be a victory, since his standard was all his judicial nominees deserve an up or down --
"MR. McCLELLAN: He considers it to be real progress, and I think any way you look at it, it is. As I said, these were nominees that have been blocked for years and now they're going to receive an up or down vote.
"Q [Senate Majority Leader Bill] Frist said it was bad news and good news.
"MR. McCLELLAN: I think it's a sign of real progress."
McClellan also said the administration would consult with the Senate over nominations just like as it always had.
