WASHINGTON (AP) _ The Senate has passed Republican-backed legislation to repeal taxpayer funding for political conventions. Instead, $126 million over the coming decade will go for additional research into pediatric cancer and other childhood disorders like autism and down syndrome.
The measure was passed by unanimous voice vote at the request of Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. It now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature. The House passed the measure late last year.
The legislation was named after Gabriella Miller, a Virginia girl who died of brain cancer last year at age 10. She had helped raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and also sought to win public support for pediatric cancer research. A key House sponsor was Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia.
