Frist's statement comes hours after Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, backed by two Democratic senators and a letter from former first lady Nancy Reagan, held a news conference to call for debate this month.

"We think it's high time the Senate should act," Hatch said.

The legislation, which passed the House May 24, 2005, has been awaiting a floor vote in the Senate ever since but has been stalled as congressional leaders weigh what amendments will be allowed. The stalemate has left supporters of embryonic stem cell research, which they believe could help cure a host of diseases and cancers, calling for Americans to write and call Frist's office to demand immediate action.

Frist, a medical doctor who also supports embryonic stem cell research, says the holdup has come from trying to appease different factions.

President Bush barred the use of federal funds for research on any embryonic stem cells created after August 2001 and has staunchly opposed more research, saying it could destroy the future life of an embryo.

Meanwhile Tuesday, the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research unveiled a poll showing 72 percent of Americans favor embryonic stem cell research, with 25 percent opposed. The poll question focused on benefits of research and quoted scientists who said research could cure cancer, heart disease, juvenile diabetes and other ailments.

"We hardly need a poll to tell us an overwhelming amount of Americans want this," said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. "The American people get it."

In a letter to Hatch, Reagan - a longtime supporter of stem cell research - said there was "no more time to wait" for action.

"For those who are waiting every day for scientific progress to help their loved ones, the wait for the United States Senate action has been very difficult and hard to comprehend," Reagan wrote.

Hatch, an anti-abortion conservative who has taken heat for supporting stem cell research, called the issue one of the most "crucial" in the realm of health care. He added that it wasn't a partisan issue - a point Harkin affirmed.

"Juvenile diabetes does not ask whether you are a Republican or Democrat," Harkin said.

tburr@sltrib.com