Assembly Speaker Robin Vos 'optimistic' Assembly will take up fetal research ban

MADISON -- Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says he's optimistic the chamber will vote on a bill outlawing research on tissue taken from aborted fetuses.

The GOP-authored measure would ban research on tissues, organs and cells from fetuses killed in elective abortions after January 1st, 2015, and ban the commercial sale of fetal tissue. Republicans in both the Assembly and Senate, however, have expressed concerns that the bill could chill research efforts.

Vos, a Rochester Republican, said earlier this week he doesn't have the votes to move the bill out of the Assembly.

On Thursday, September 24th, he said members of his caucus have been trying to craft a compromise and he hopes to bring the bill to the floor by October 22nd. He declined to comment on what changes might be coming.