Following a decision by a federal court to block federal funding of embryonic stem cell research in accordance with current federal law, Washington Democrats are considering the introduction of legislation that would permit the federally-funded destruction of embryos.

(By the way, the “destruction of embryos” part isn’t my spin. The court actually found that, scientifically speaking, embryonic stem cell research involves the destruction of embryos.)

Sen. Tom Harkin (D., Iowa) said Tuesday he would convene a hearing on Sept. 16, the week the Senate returns from its summer break. A spokeswoman said Mr. Harkin was “concerned about the disruption to this very important research.”

Incidentally, embryonic stem cell research has shown very little scientific potential. Adult stem cell research, on the other hand, has shown great potential. So Harkin’s “very important research” statement is his own opinion and isn’t based in actual findings to date.

“It already has a sense of urgency,” Ms. DeGette said in an interview. She said her office has received a number of calls from other members of Congress asking what they can do to reverse the court’s decision. “If we don’t address it this fall then we’re going to be sliding even farther back,” she said.

Why do they want to rush this through in the fall? Because Republicans will hold more power in January, and Republicans tend not to be fans of the federally-funded destruction of human embryos — either for fiscal or moral reasons.

Congress hasn’t been a fan, either, at least historically speaking. The Dickey-Wicker Amendment, which bans federal funding for embryo destruction, has been passed every year since 1995.

Democrats who vote in favor of such legislation will be forced to go on record supporting tax dollars being used for the destruction of human embryos. Good luck with that.