Conservatives and allies of President-elect Donald Trump are dismantling a narrative put forth by Democratic lawmakers such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren that Republicans blocked funding for childhood cancer research in the spending bill, pointing to a stand-alone bill that had languished in the Democrat-controlled Senate for months. 

Congress passed a pared-down spending bill early Saturday morning as the government careened towards a prolonged shutdown. The bill’s passage followed tech billionaire Elon Musk and other Trump allies slamming a more than 1,500-page piece of legislation earlier last week as "outrageous" and "​​full of excessive spending, special interest giveaways and pork barrel politics," demanding lawmakers return to the negotiation table. 

The Senate advanced a third version of a short-term funding bill on Saturday morning, following negotiations that whittled down the legislation to not include measures such as providing lawmakers a pay raise. 

As negotiations were hashed out, Warren and other Democrats attempted to slam Republicans for allegedly blocking funding for childhood cancer research in the bill. 

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"We actually are now getting our first taste – this is it live and in living color – about what it means to have this DOGE," Warren said on CNN as the government prepared to shut down on Friday evening. 

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DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency, is an upcoming presidential advisory committee that will be led by Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to cut excessive government spending and slash the size of the government under Trump’s second administration. 

"Right out here, and what that's going to mean. And that's where Elon Musk's fingerprints are all over this. Because, for example, what this bill says is all, let's get rid of funding for research on pediatric cancer. Let's get rid of funding for research on early detection of cervical cancer and breast cancer. Let's get rid of funding for research on children with Down Syndrome and on sickle cell anemia. Let's get rid of those things so that we could make way for tax cuts for billionaires, that is Elon Musk's notion of efficiency," she continued. 

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While the Democrat Party’s war room published a press release declaring: "Trump and his MAGA minions in Congress have decided to threaten a government shutdown for his political gain — and now they’ve stooped as low as cutting child cancer research."

"​​Lyin’ Liz Warren aka Pocahontas," Musk shot back in response to Warren’s comments, referring to Trump’s common taunt against Warren. 

Other conservatives and Trump allies slammed the narrative that the GOP blocked funding for childhood cancer research, pointing to a standalone bill that passed in the Republican-led House back in March, and had for months languished in the Democrat-led Senate. 

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"Elizabeth Warren repeats the lie that @elonmusk and Republicans blocked funding for child cancer research. A stand alone bill for child cancer research funding passed the Republican controlled House in March and got held up in the Democrat controlled Senate," popular conservative X account Libs of TikTok posted in response to Warren’s CNN interview. 

"Democrats blocked funding for child cancer research."

The House passed a stand-alone bill on March 5, at a vote of 384-4, that allocated millions of dollars per year for pediatric research through 2028. The bill was delivered to the Senate on March 6, but Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had not taken action on the legislation, sparking condemnation from conservatives months later that Democrats used the research funding as a "bargaining chip." 

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"Democrats are using children with cancer as political shields in the shutdown game to blame Republicans after using them as political shields to help defend all the slop Democrats wanted included in the bill. If this funding is so important, it can be passed on its own as a stand-alone bill. You know, like how the government is supposed to work, instead of cramming hundreds of useless proposals into the same bill as pediatric cancer research funding in a 1,500-page mess that no one actually reads so that you can attack anyone who doesn’t support the useless stuff by claiming they hate children with cancer," an op-ed published in the Washington Examiner outlined. 

A review of the legislation shows that on Friday​​ evening, the Senate passed the legislation by a voice vote, following condemnation targeting the GOP for allegedly blocking funding for the research.

The legislation extends $12.6 million a year in cancer research funding through 2031. 

Fox News Digital reached out to Warren’s office for additional comment Sunday morning, but did not immediately receive a reply. 

A doctor in federal prison for chemotherapy fraud was among the recent recipients of clemency from President Biden, a stark contrast given the president's longtime advocacy for cancer patients and survivors.

Biden's sweeping clemency actions last week included sentence commutations of nearly 1,.500 prisoners, including Meera Sachdeva, a Mississippi oncologist who was senteced to two decades in prison after she pleaded guilty to chemotherapy fraud. Sachdeva gave her patients only partial doses of their prescribed cancer treatment while billing them for the full amount. 

Sachdeva pleaded guilty in 2012 to the federal charges, which included defrauding health insurance providers and Medicare by submitting false claims on behalf of the patients she was treating. In addition to the prison time, she was also ordered to pay nearly $8.2 million in restitution.

U.S. prosecutors said that between 2007 and 2011, Sachdeva's patients believed that they were receiving an amount of chemotherapy equal to the amount being billed to their respective health care benefit programs, but that patients were instead receiving reduced dosages, lower than the prescribed and billed amount of chemotherapy drugs.

A U.S. district court judge in Jackson, Mississippi, said he was "appalled" by Sachdeva's treatment of her patients at a vulnerable time in their lives. 

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"It's a very small thing to send this woman to jail for the next 20 years when you compare it to the damage she has done," U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III said in court. 

"The health care fraud perpetrated by these defendants was an abuse of public trust motivated by greed," U.S. attorney Gregory K. Davis said in a statement announcing the original prison sentence for Sachdeva in response to her guilty plea.

"We remain committed to protect the integrity of our health care system and will continue to strictly enforce our federal health care laws."

The news comes as certain names on Biden's clemency list have come under heightened scrutiny. Among those whose sentences were commuted or pardoned are Toyosi Alatishe, who abused his position as patient caretaker for individuals with severe mental deficiencies and physical disabilities by using their personal information to file fraudulent tax returns, and former Pennsylvania judge Michael Conahan, who was convicted in 2011 for his role in a "Kids-for-Cash" scheme, in which children were sent to for-profit detention centers in return for millions of dollars of kickbacks from the private prisons. 

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Biden's clemency in Sachdeva's case stands out in part from his history of advocacy on behalf of cancer patients. 

In 2016, then-Vice President Biden launched the Cancer Moonshot, aimed at bringing together cancer researchers and accelerating scientific discovery in cancer research. The initiative was announced shortly after Biden's son, Beau Biden, died from a rare form of brain cancer. 

In a statement last week announcing the new clemency actions, Biden said America "was built on the promise of possibility and second chances."

"As president, I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities, and taking steps to remove sentencing disparities for nonviolent offenders, especially those convicted of drug offenses," Biden said.

NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss revealed to fans in an Instagram livestream Friday he was diagnosed with cancer. 

During the livestream, Moss said he's a "cancer survivor," adding he spent six days in the hospital and underwent surgery. He thanked his team of doctors and all those who prayed for him.

"I am a cancer survivor," Moss said. "Some trying times, but we made it through."

Moss said doctors found cancer in his bile duct "right between the pancreas and the liver."

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"I didn't think I would ever be in this position, as healthy as I thought I was."

Moss stepped away from his role as an analyst on ESPN’s "Sunday NFL Countdown" Dec. 6.

"As soon as I get healthy to get back out with guys, I will be on set. ... Hopefully I can be with you guys soon," Moss said.

"My goal is to get back on television with my team."

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Moss was revealed to be stepping away from ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown" for an extended time to focus on a personal health challenge earlier in December in a statement from ESPN.

"(Moss) briefly addressed the matter at the start of the show on Dec. 1. For nearly a decade, Randy has been an invaluable member of the team, consistently elevating ‘Countdown’ with his insight and passion. He has ESPN’s full support, and we look forward to welcoming him back when he is ready," ESPN’s statement said. 

Moss revealed last week he was battling an illness.

"I just wanted to let the viewers know that me and my wife and my family are battling something internally. I have some great doctors around me. I couldn’t miss the show. I wanted to be here with you guys," Moss said during last week's ESPN’s "Sunday NFL Countdown."

"I feel great. But if you see me with these ‘Michigan turnover glasses’ that I have on, it’s not being disrespectful because I’m on television. It’s because I’m battling something. I need all the prayer warriors. God bless you all. Thanks for the prayers."

During FOX NFL Sunday, several of Moss' ex-New England Patriots teammates, including Tom Brady, shared their support for Moss. 

"One of the all-time great teammates and friends, in touch to this day," Brady said during FOX's broadcast. "Our heart obviously is with you, our prayers, all our positive energy.  We love you so much, man."

Rob Gronkowski added: "We're thinking about you, Randy. We love you, man."

The 47-year-old Moss was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 after playing 14 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings (1998-2004, 2010), Oakland Raiders (2005-06), New England Patriots (2007-10), Tennessee Titans (2010) and San Francisco 49ers (2012).

Moss is second in NFL history with 156 touchdown catches and had an NFL-record 23 TD receptions in 2007 for the Patriots.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg announced Tuesday that the prostate cancer he defeated earlier this year has returned.

The Chicago Cubs legend wrote in an Instagram post that the cancer, which he thought had been eliminated by radiation, has spread. 

"Unfortunately, we recently learned the cancer has relapsed, and it has spread to other organs," he wrote Tuesday. "This means that I’m back to more intensive treatment. We will continue to be positive, strong, and fight to beat this. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for me and my family."

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"Ryne is an inspiration to cancer survivors everywhere," Cubs owner Tom Ricketts said in a statement Tuesday. "I know all Cubs fans join my family and me in sending positive thoughts to Ryne and keeping him and his family in our prayers as he faces this next round of treatments to defeat cancer. Ryne has the heart and soul of a champion and that will serve him well in this challenge."

Sandberg hit .285 with 282 homers, 1,061 RBIs and 344 steals in 16 seasons in the majors. He made his big league debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981 and appeared in 13 games with the Phillies before he was traded to the Cubs in January 1982.

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Sandberg turned into one of the majors’ top players with the Cubs. He made 10 MLB All-Star teams and won nine Gold Gloves. He also was the NL MVP in 1984.

He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.

Over the summer, the Cubs immortalized Sandberg with a statue that depicts him crouched and waiting for a grounder. It stands next to bronze tributes to fellow Hall of Famers Ferguson Jenkins, Billy Williams, Ron Santo and Ernie Banks.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Oklahoma football coach Brent Venables' wife Julie is fighting another bout with cancer. 

The Venables family initially learned of Julie's cancer diagnosis in 2023. She underwent two procedures, one in August and another in November.

During his weekly coach's show, Venables revealed Julie's cancer returned several months ago. Julie has spent time in Norman, Oklahoma, and New York since May. She underwent surgery to remove a tumor, but Venables noted that she is doing "amazing."

Julie spoke with The Oklahoman earlier this year and prior to her second diagnosis and said she had "zero cancer" and felt she was in good health.

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Venables praised Julie for her strength and said she has the support of "a great team."

"Her spirit and her strength is nothing short of amazing," Venables said. "We've got a great team and great faith. It's in God's hands. A big part of the battle was her wanting to just fight and keep swinging, and that's what she's doing."

Prior to Oklahoma's game against the UCF Golden Knights in October 2023, the Sooners' home field underwent some special upgrades in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness.

Pink ribbons were painted in both end zones, and Sooners players and coaches wore pink as they walked to the stadium. Brent and Julie Venables have been married 27 years and have four children.

Oklahoma entered Week 13 with a 5-5 record. The Sooners welcome the Alabama Crimson Tide to Memorial Stadium Saturday.

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