Key Takeaways:
– Last-minute legislation prevents government shutdown in the US.
– Republicans aimed to cut $190 million from pediatric cancer research.
– Democratic-run Senate ensured the reinstatement of cancer research funds.
– $90 million allocated for inauguration ceremony was a point of contention.
Sweating Bullets to Prevent Shutdown
The US federal government recently escaped a potential shutdown at the nick of time. Thanks to an 11th-hour effort, the House of Representatives managed to assemble a bill that gained approval from both the Senate and President Joe Biden. These happenings unfolded in an intense political atmosphere with significant contributions from both sides of the aisle.
Masterminding Democratic Support
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat from Texas, highlighted in a recent MSNBC interview, the essential role her party played in averting the shutdown. Crockett pointed out that House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, needed Democratic backing to keep things running smoothly. To make the picture clear, it means Democrats had to step in with their votes each time a resolution was up for agreement, especially when members from Johnson’s party stood against him over expenditure concerns.
Efforts to Cut Pediatric Cancer Research Funding Backfired
A remarkable incident from the past week’s developments caught Rep. Crockett’s attention. In a startling move, Republicans attempted, yet failed, to cut $190 million from pediatric cancer research funding. However, all senators unanimously agreed to reinstate this language into the final funding bill. This move ensured the passage of the Gabriela Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0, a crucial piece of legislation for pediatric cancer research. What baffled many was the Republicans’ eagerness to cut these essential funds while showing no concern for money reserved for inauguration-related preparations.
Trump’s Inauguration Money Raises Eyebrows
Critics were quick to point out the $90 million set aside in the legislation for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony. Crockett voiced concerns, stating that the idea of using millions for a one-day event while axing vital funds for children’s cancer research was mind-boggling.
Senate Steps in to Negate Cuts to Cancer Research
In a twist of fate, the Democratically-controlled Senate made it a point to prevent the proposed cut to pediatric cancer research. In their final act in majority, they reinserted the crucial funding language into the legislation, ensuring protection for cancer research.
Contrarily, the allocated $90 million for the inauguration ceremony was for emergency planning in the nation’s capital, where $50 million would be dedicated to Trump’s inauguration. This information was shared by Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, a Democrat from Washington D.C. She also mentioned that plans to transfer the management of Robert F. Kennedy stadium to D.C. officials were rejected by Republicans, despite this move requiring zero federal spending.
A Near Miss for Government Operations
In conclusion, had it not been for the tireless efforts of lawmakers, the US government would have faced a shutdown. Unanimity in the Senate, impressive bipartisanship, and unexpected plot twists combined to create an unprecedented drama in US politics. Importantly, the fate of $190 million in cancer research funding hung in the balance but was ultimately saved, showing a ray of hope in tumultuous times.