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Legislation that would bolster embryonic stem-cell research shouldn't be used as a political pawn in November's election, the Republican sponsor of the bill said Thursday.

Rep. Mike Castle of Delaware, who is teaming with Rep. Diana DeGette on new stem-cell legislation, said he'd oppose a new vote simply to challenge President Bush. He told DeGette that Thursday during a break in a hearing on the research.

"I pointed out to Diana on the (House) floor that I hope we wouldn't do this for political reasons," Castle said. "We need to keep taking positive steps and not steps that have a political result."

DeGette, a Denver Democrat who along with Castle crafted stem-cell legislation that Bush has twice vetoed, on Thursday called federal funding of the research "a positive wedge issue."

In November's election, DeGette said, "I would hope that we pick up, No. 1, a pro-stem-cell president. And, No. 2, that we would win enough seats in Congress to pass this through."

Despite gaining congressional supporters in the 2006 election, DeGette still lacks a veto-proof majority for her bill.

She...