Congress=COWARDS

UPDATE

File under, "One can hope." Thanks to Bob at PAC2 for keeping us all updated. The NCI comment smells funny - politics instead of progress.

All, There have been quite a few questions about follow up to the information I sent yesterday. Following is a summary. The House has just passed omnibus appropriations conference report (HR 3288) by a vote of 221-202-1, with 10 members not voting. The Senate is likely tobegin debate on the bill either later today or tomorrow. The conference report is the final House- Senate agreed upon language. The conference report is the report I referenced in my email communication yesterday in which there is: * $3 million that will go to the Centers for Disease Control for a pediatric cancer registry * $1 million to carry out informational services to patients and families affected by childhood cancer authorized under the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act. At present, it does not appear there is an appropriation for pediatric cancer research as authorized by the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act. The report also contains the following unusual language which we are attempting to clarify: The National Cancer Institute reports that it is meeting the funding level identified for pediatric cancer research in the Caroline PryceWalker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2008 within its base budget. The conferees commend NCI for its attention to this issue. I hope you will hold off contacting your members of Congress until we have clarification on this language and until after the Defense appropriation is passed next week. This will provide the best opportunity to fully address the outcome for pediatric cancer appropriated funding. My Best, Kate Shafer, LICSW Director Of Advocacy CureSearch

Headline: Congress UNANIMOUSLY approves $30 million for childhood cancer research.

Benefit: They get to be on the record as supporting our kids and the #1 CAUSE OF CHILDHOOD DEATH IN AMERICA OTHER THAN BY ACCIDENTS.

Reality: Kill it in the sub-committee as its an APPROPRIATIONS bill and therefore only authorization to fund if they really wanna.

Wanna read more? Check out these links below:
NO Funding for the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act

Go ahead and die...I don't give a shit because you do not vote and you'll be dead before you are 18.

Understanding Appropriations – The Carolyn Price Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act

If you are mad as I am, do something this holiday season about it. Pick out a congressman/woman in your home state and shoot them a quick email letting them know that you know this wasn't funded. Forward this to your local newspaper...

Senate Appropriations - Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
Name	State	Phone	Fax	E-Mail
RICHARD C. SHELBY	Alabama	(202) 224-5744	202-224-3416	E-Mail
DANIEL K. INOUYE	Hawaii	(202) 224-3934	202-224-6747	E-Mail
RICHARD J. DURBIN	Illinois	(202) 224-2152	202-228-0400	E-Mail
TOM HARKIN	Iowa	(202) 224-3254	202-224-9369	E-Mail
MARY L. LANDRIEU	Louisiana	(202) 224-5824	202-224-9735	E-Mail
THAD COCHRAN	Mississippi	(202) 224-5054	202-224-9450	E-Mail
JUDD GREGG	New Hampshire	(202) 224-3324	202-224-4952	E-Mail
ARLEN SPECTER	Pennsylvania	(202) 224-4254	202-228-1229	E-Mail
JACK REED	Rhode Island	(202) 224-4642	202-224-4680	E-Mail
KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON	Texas	(202) 224-5922	202-224-0776	E-Mail
PATTY MURRAY	Washington	(202) 224-2621	202-224-0238	E-Mail
HERB KOHL	Wisconsin	(202) 224-5653	202-224-9787	E-Mail
House of Representatives Appropriations - Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
Name	State	Phone	Fax	E-Mail
Majority
Lucille Roybal-Allard	California	(202) 225-1766	202-226-0350	Email
Barbara Lee	California	(202) 225-2661	202-225-9817	Email
Michael Honda	California	(202) 225-2631	202-225-2699	Email
Rosa L. DeLauro	Connecticut	(202) 225-3661	202-225-4890	Email
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.	Illinois	(202) 225-0773	202-225-0899	Email
Betty McCollum	Minnesota	(202) 225-6631	202-225-1968	Email
Nita M. Lowey	New York	(202) 225-6506	202-225-0546	Email
Tim Ryan	Ohio	(202) 225-5261	202-225-3719	Email
Patrick J. Kennedy	Rhode Island	(202) 225-4911	202-225-3290	Email
James P. Moran	Virginia	(202) 225-4376	202-225-0017	Email
Dave Obey	Wisconsin	(202) 225-3365	715-842-4488	Email
Minority
Jo Bonner	Alabama	(202) 225-4931	202-225-0562	Email
Jerry Lewis Ex Officio	California	(202) 225-5861	202-225-6498	Email
Todd Tiahrt	Kansas	(202) 225.6216	202-225-3489	Email
Rodney Alexander	Louisiana	(202) 225-8490	202-225-5639	Email
Dennis R. Rehberg	Montana	(202) 225-3211	202-225-5687	Email
Tom Cole	Oklahoma	(202) 225.6165	202-225-3512	Email