Independent Report: Beyond Breast Cancer | Breast Cancer Research Bill Pulled

The bipartisan breast cancer research bill, which was authored by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and House Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas), was slated for a vote Tuesday afternoon under a fast-track process that requires a two-thirds majority for passage. The procedure, known as suspension of the rules, is typically reserved for bills that pass with an overwhelming majority.

But without enough Republicans on board due to concerns about funding going toward abortions, the legislation lacked the votes for moving forward. The bill could be brought up again within the next two days as leadership moves to resolve concerns about which organizations would be recipients of research funding.

A resolution could come by the end of the week.

“We are working to ensure that charitable organizations which receive funding from this legislation are 100 percent focused on diagnosing, treating, and curing breast cancer,” a House GOP leadership aide said.

At the start of the day, the legislation had 307 cosponsors, 142 of which were Republicans.

In a remarkable demonstration of how quickly the legislation had become more partisan, 21 Republicans lined up on the House floor late Tuesday afternoon to remove their names as co-sponsors.

Proponents insist the measure isn’t stalled just yet.