The federal government narrowly avoided a year-end shutdown after some intense last-minute negotiations in Congress.
But while the spotlight was on keeping the government running, an unexpected move by some Republicans to cut funding for pediatric cancer research left many stunned... Continue reading here ▶
Democrats Step In to Prevent a Shutdown
On MSNBC, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) explained how House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) needed Democrats to get the votes he couldn’t secure from his own party. Many Republicans refused to back the funding bill because of concerns over government spending.
“Every single continuing resolution we’ve passed has needed Democratic votes to get through,” Crockett said. It’s clear that Democrats had to step in to keep things moving.
A Shocking Attempt to Cut Cancer Research Funds
What really stood out, though, was a Republican proposal to cut $190 million for pediatric cancer research. This funding was part of the Gabriela Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0, a measure aimed at helping children with cancer.
But here’s the kicker: while proposing to cut this critical funding, the same bill included $90 million for “emergency planning,” with $50 million of that going toward President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
“The idea that it’s okay to spend $90 million on an inauguration but take away $190 million for children’s cancer research? It’s mind-blowing,” Crockett said. And honestly, who could argue with her?
The Senate Steps Up
Thankfully, the Democratically controlled Senate stepped in and put the cancer funding back into the final version of the bill. Crockett praised their actions, saying, “They made sure the funding got back in.”
This was a huge win for pediatric cancer research and a reminder of how important it is to have lawmakers who are willing to stand up for these kinds of priorities.
Other Drama in the Bill
The funding bill wasn’t without other controversies. For example, Republicans blocked a measure that would have transferred control of Robert F. Kennedy Stadium to D.C. authorities. This wouldn’t have cost the federal government anything, but it still got shut down.
Meanwhile, Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-Wash. D.C.) pointed out that while the $90 million for “emergency planning” had some broader uses, the optics of prioritizing Trump’s inauguration over cancer research didn’t sit well with many.