Senate Democrats under Chuck Schumer are facing criticism for blocking a pediatric cancer research bill for months while using the issue as leverage to pass a 1,500-page spending package.
H.R. 3391, aimed at funding research into childhood diseases, passed the Republican-led House in March. Despite bipartisan support, the bill was never brought to the Senate floor. Instead, Democrats tied pediatric cancer funding to a controversial omnibus bill loaded with unrelated spending, prompting backlash from Republicans and the public.
The original spending package included billions in disaster relief and agricultural aid but also tucked in money for censorship programs and perks for lawmakers. After criticism from President-elect Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and others, the House trimmed the bill to 116 pages, removing cancer research funding to avoid pork spending.
Democrats were quick to respond. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) lashed out on social media, accusing Republicans of sacrificing children’s health to protect corporations. Podcaster Jon Favreau pointed fingers at Musk, blaming him for cutting cancer research funding.
Republicans argue the outrage is disingenuous. “If Senate Democrats cared about childhood cancer funding, they’d have passed H.R. 3391 months ago,” one GOP aide noted. “Instead, they sat on it to use as a bargaining chip for wasteful spending.”
The revised bill funds the government through March 14 while suspending the debt ceiling for two years, but without the pediatric cancer funding included in the original version. Advocates are now calling on Schumer to bring H.R. 3391 to the floor for a standalone vote.
