Latest news with #Sanders'
San Francisco Chronicle
3 hours ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Senate rejects bid to halt sale of bombs and rifles to Israel, but Democratic opposition grows
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate rejected an effort Wednesday from Sen. Bernie Sanders to block the sale of U.S. bombs and firearms to Israel, though the vote showed a growing number of Democrats opposed to the arms sales amid widespread hunger and suffering in Gaza. Sanders, an independent from Vermont, has repeatedly tried to block the sale of offensive weapons to Israel over the last year. The resolutions before the Senate on Tuesday would have stopped the sale of $675 million in bombs as well as shipments of 20,000 automatic assault rifles to Israel. They again failed to gain passage, but 27 Democrats — more than half the caucus — voted for the resolution that applied to assault rifles, and 24 voted for the resolution that applied to bomb sales. It was more than any of Sanders' previous efforts, which at a high mark in November last year gained 18 votes from Democrats. The vote tally showed how the images of starvation emerging from Gaza are creating a growing schism in what has traditionally been overwhelming support for Israel from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers. 'U.S. taxpayers have spent many, many billions of dollars in support of the racist, extremist Netanyahu government,' Sanders said, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 'Enough is enough. Americans want this to end. They do not want to be complicit in an unfolding famine and deadly civilian massacres.' As the war approaches its second year, the leading international authority on food crises said this week that a 'worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip.' International pressure, including from President Donald Trump, has led Israel to announce measures, including daily humanitarian pauses in fighting in parts of Gaza and airdrops. But the U.N. and Palestinians on the ground say little has changed, and desperate crowds continue to overwhelm delivery trucks. The Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho, argued that Hamas was to blame both for the conflict and the current situation in Gaza. All Republican senators voted against Sanders' resolutions. 'They use the people of Gaza as human shields, and they steal the food that the people of Gaza need,' Risch said. 'It is in the interest of America and the world to see this terrorist group destroyed.' Known as joint resolutions of disapproval, the measures would have had to pass both houses of Congress and withstand any presidential veto to become binding. Congress has never succeeded in blocking arms sales with the joint resolutions. Democratic senators spent an hour on Wednesday evening with a series of floor speeches calling attention to the children who have starved to death in Gaza. They are also calling on the Trump Administration to recalibrate its approach to the conflict, including a large-scale expansion of aid into Gaza channeled through organizations experienced working in the area. Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat who voted against similar resolutions from Sanders in the past, said she would vote for the legislation this time. 'As a longtime friend and supporter of Israel, I am voting yes to send a message: the Netanyahu government cannot continue with this strategy,' she said in a statement. 'For many of us who have devoted our congressional careers to supporting Israel, standing by them through difficult times, it is impossible to really explain or defend what is going on today,' Durbin said. 'Gaza is starving and dying because of the policies of Bibi Netanyahu.' ___
Hamilton Spectator
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Senate rejects bid to halt sale of bombs and rifles to Israel, but Democratic opposition grows
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate rejected an effort Wednesday from Sen. Bernie Sanders to block the sale of U.S. bombs and firearms to Israel, though the vote showed a growing number of Democrats opposed to the arms sales amid widespread hunger and suffering in Gaza. Sanders, an independent from Vermont, has repeatedly tried to block the sale of offensive weapons to Israel over the last year. The resolutions before the Senate on Tuesday would have stopped the sale of $675 million in bombs as well as shipments of 20,000 automatic assault rifles to Israel. They again failed to gain passage, but 27 Democrats — more than half the caucus — voted for the resolution that applied to assault rifles, and 24 voted for the resolution that applied to bomb sales. It was more than any of Sanders' previous efforts, which at a high mark in November last year gained 18 votes from Democrats. The vote tally showed how the images of starvation emerging from Gaza are creating a growing schism in what has traditionally been overwhelming support for Israel from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers. 'U.S. taxpayers have spent many, many billions of dollars in support of the racist, extremist Netanyahu government,' Sanders said, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu . 'Enough is enough. Americans want this to end. They do not want to be complicit in an unfolding famine and deadly civilian massacres.' As the war approaches its second year, the leading international authority on food crises said this week that a 'worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip.' International pressure, including from President Donald Trump, has led Israel to announce measures , including daily humanitarian pauses in fighting in parts of Gaza and airdrops. But the U.N. and Palestinians on the ground say little has changed, and desperate crowds continue to overwhelm delivery trucks. The Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho, argued that Hamas was to blame both for the conflict and the current situation in Gaza. All Republican senators voted against Sanders' resolutions. 'They use the people of Gaza as human shields, and they steal the food that the people of Gaza need,' Risch said. 'It is in the interest of America and the world to see this terrorist group destroyed.' Known as joint resolutions of disapproval, the measures would have had to pass both houses of Congress and withstand any presidential veto to become binding. Congress has never succeeded in blocking arms sales with the joint resolutions. Democratic senators spent an hour on Wednesday evening with a series of floor speeches calling attention to the children who have starved to death in Gaza. They are also calling on the Trump Administration to recalibrate its approach to the conflict, including a large-scale expansion of aid into Gaza channeled through organizations experienced working in the area. Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat who voted against similar resolutions from Sanders in the past, said she would vote for the legislation this time. 'As a longtime friend and supporter of Israel, I am voting yes to send a message: the Netanyahu government cannot continue with this strategy,' she said in a statement. Another Democrat, Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, said it was still 'painful' to support the resolution. 'For many of us who have devoted our congressional careers to supporting Israel, standing by them through difficult times, it is impossible to really explain or defend what is going on today,' Durbin said. 'Gaza is starving and dying because of the policies of Bibi Netanyahu.' ___ Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Senate rejects bid to halt sale of bombs and rifles to Israel, but Democratic opposition grows
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate rejected an effort Wednesday from Sen. Bernie Sanders to block the sale of U.S. bombs and firearms to Israel, though the vote showed a growing number of Democrats opposed to the arms sales amid widespread hunger and suffering in Gaza. Sanders, an independent from Vermont, has repeatedly tried to block the sale of offensive weapons to Israel over the last year. The resolutions before the Senate on Tuesday would have stopped the sale of $675 million in bombs as well as shipments of 20,000 automatic assault rifles to Israel. They again failed to gain passage, but 27 Democrats — more than half the caucus — voted for the resolution that applied to assault rifles, and 24 voted for the resolution that applied to bomb sales. It was more than any of Sanders' previous efforts, which at a high mark in November last year gained 18 votes from Democrats. The vote tally showed how the images of starvation emerging from Gaza are creating a growing schism in what has traditionally been overwhelming support for Israel from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers. 'U.S. taxpayers have spent many, many billions of dollars in support of the racist, extremist Netanyahu government,' Sanders said, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 'Enough is enough. Americans want this to end. They do not want to be complicit in an unfolding famine and deadly civilian massacres.' As the war approaches its second year, the leading international authority on food crises said this week that a 'worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip.' International pressure, including from President Donald Trump, has led Israel to announce measures, including daily humanitarian pauses in fighting in parts of Gaza and airdrops. But the U.N. and Palestinians on the ground say little has changed, and desperate crowds continue to overwhelm delivery trucks. The Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho, argued that Hamas was to blame both for the conflict and the current situation in Gaza. All Republican senators voted against Sanders' resolutions. 'They use the people of Gaza as human shields, and they steal the food that the people of Gaza need,' Risch said. 'It is in the interest of America and the world to see this terrorist group destroyed.' Known as joint resolutions of disapproval, the measures would have had to pass both houses of Congress and withstand any presidential veto to become binding. Congress has never succeeded in blocking arms sales with the joint resolutions. Democratic senators spent an hour on Wednesday evening with a series of floor speeches calling attention to the children who have starved to death in Gaza. They are also calling on the Trump Administration to recalibrate its approach to the conflict, including a large-scale expansion of aid into Gaza channeled through organizations experienced working in the area. Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat who voted against similar resolutions from Sanders in the past, said she would vote for the legislation this time. 'As a longtime friend and supporter of Israel, I am voting yes to send a message: the Netanyahu government cannot continue with this strategy,' she said in a statement. Another Democrat, Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, said it was still 'painful' to support the resolution. 'For many of us who have devoted our congressional careers to supporting Israel, standing by them through difficult times, it is impossible to really explain or defend what is going on today,' Durbin said. 'Gaza is starving and dying because of the policies of Bibi Netanyahu.' ___
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Deion Sanders' bladder cancer diagnosis sounds the alarm for testing
Speculation swirled for weeks around the health of Deion Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes head coach and famed Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, who had been notably absent from team practice. When he announced Monday that he had undergone surgery in June to remove his bladder after a cancer diagnosis, it once again became evident that cancer doesn't discriminate around wealth and status. But the serious nature of his condition highlights concerns about how Black people tend to be at a disproportionately higher health risk than other groups due to the deficiencies in care. Doctors hope Sanders' diagnosis can influence others to take preventative steps. Dr. Geoffrey Mount Varner, an emergency room physician in Maryland, noted that Black people are less likely to get bladder cancer but are more likely to die from it. 'It does impact Black people more and aggressively,' he said. In a video of Sanders, 57, filmed in May but shared by his son on Sunday, the coach spoke about how emotionally and mentally draining it was to have to write a will before his surgery. 'That's not easy at all,' he said at the time. A high-profile figure like Sanders having a cancerous tumor on his bladder is likely to prompt more people to seek screening. Five years ago, the shocking death of actor Chadwick Boseman from colon cancer at age 43 raised awareness among Black men of the importance of having a colonoscopy. Black people are at a disproportionately high risk for colon cancer diagnoses, according to the American Cancer Society, and the mortality rate has increased in recent years, particularly among Black men. Just four days before Sanders' press conference, Varner, also a Black man in his 50s, completed chemotherapy for prostate cancer. 'Cancer touches 100% of people,' Varner said. What is bladder cancer surgery like? During the press conference, Dr. Janet Kukreja, the director of urological oncology at University of Colorado Health, said Sanders chose to have bladder surgery over chemotherapy because it increased his chances to continue coaching. 'It's a laparoscopic surgery,' Kukreja, who performed the surgery, said, 'where we attach a robot to the patient, and then we do all the maneuvering of the robot, and then once the bladder comes out, we also take some lymph nodes to make sure it hasn't spread — and it didn't — and then we make a new bladder for people. 'We use their own intestine so they don't have to take immunosuppression. Life after the surgery, she said, 'is a new way of life, and it is a learning curve, for sure.' Sanders, who plans to coach the Buffaloes in the upcoming season, even joked that there may need to be a 'port-a-potty on the sideline.' Dr. Philippe Spiess, a genitourinary oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, said this procedure typically lasts between five and seven hours and 'involves removing the bladder, prostate and surrounding lymph nodes in the pelvis,' since the cancer could spread beyond the bladder.' Why Black Americans should take note Sanders used the Monday press conference to urge those watching to 'get checked out,' especially when there are even the mildest of symptoms that something is off. It was sound advice, Varner said. 'One of the screen exams for bladder cancer is, for instance, just a regular urinalysis,' he said. 'It will pick up blood in the urine, which is a symptom. If you don't go to your primary care physician and have these basic screenings done, you miss it. And by the time you have obvious symptoms, you're further along the line for prostate cancer or colon cancer or breast cancer for Black women.' Varner said up to 70% of cancers are tied to food consumption, especially fast food and ultraprocessed products. 'In Black communities, there are one and a half times more fast-food restaurants,' he said. 'The reason why that matters is that fast food restaurants serve hyperprocessed foods, which leads to or increases the risk of cancer. And so right off the bat, it puts Black folks at a disadvantage.' 'It would help all people, and the Black community specifically, if some of the basic screenings were free,' Varner said. As an ER doctor, Varner said he often sees patients who have long had symptoms of a serious illness, but by the time they get to the hospital, 'they want immediate care.' But earlier screening would make the issue of care a little less invasive and daunting. Varner said prostate-specific screenings for cancer and analysis should be more broadly accessible. 'There are programs that help with the cost of some tests,' he said. 'But we have to take advantage of them and not wait until it's too late.' This article was originally published on Solve the daily Crossword
NBC News
a day ago
- Health
- NBC News
Deion Sanders' bladder cancer diagnosis sounds the alarm for testing
Speculation swirled for weeks around the health of Deion Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes head coach and famed Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, who had been notably absent from team practice. When he announced Monday that he had undergone surgery in June to remove his bladder after a cancer diagnosis, it once again became evident that cancer doesn't discriminate around wealth and status. But the serious nature of his condition highlights concerns about how Black people tend to be at a disproportionately higher health risk than other groups due to the deficiencies in care. Doctors hope Sanders' diagnosis can influence others to take preventative steps. Geoffrey Mount Varner, an emergency room physician in Maryland, noted that Black people are less likely to get bladder cancer but are more likely to die from it. 'It does impact Black people more and aggressively,' he said. In a video of Sanders, 57, filmed in May but shared by his son on Sunday, the coach spoke about how emotionally and mentally draining it was to have to write a will before his surgery. 'That's not easy at all,' he said at the time. A high-profile figure like Sanders having a cancerous tumor on his bladder is likely to prompt more people to seek screening. Five years ago, the shocking death of actor Chadwick Boseman from colon cancer at age 43 raised awareness among Black men of the importance of having a colonoscopy. Black people are at a disproportionately high risk for colon cancer diagnoses, according to the American Cancer Society, and the mortality rate has increased in recent years, particularly among Black men. Just four days before Sanders' press conference, Varner, also a Black man in his 50s, completed chemotherapy for prostate cancer. 'Cancer touches 100% of people,' Varner said. What is bladder cancer surgery like? During the press conference, Janet Kukreja, the director of urological oncology at University of Colorado Health, said Sanders chose to have bladder surgery over chemotherapy because it increased his chances to continue coaching. 'It's a laparoscopic surgery,' Kukreja, who performed the surgery, said, 'where we attach a robot to the patient, and then we do all the maneuvering of the robot, and then once the bladder comes out, we also take some lymph nodes to make sure it hasn't spread — and it didn't — and then we make a new bladder for people. 'We use their own intestine so they don't have to take immunosuppression. Life after the surgery, she said, 'is a new way of life, and it is a learning curve, for sure.' Sanders, who plans to coach the Buffaloes in the upcoming season, even joked that there may need to be a 'port-a-potty on the sideline.' Philippe Spiess, a genitourinary oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, said this procedure typically lasts between five and seven hours and 'involves removing the bladder, prostate and surrounding lymph nodes in the pelvis,' since the cancer could spread beyond the bladder.' Why Black Americans should take note Sanders used the Monday press conference to urge those watching to 'get checked out,' especially when there are even the mildest of symptoms that something is off. It was sound advice, Varner said. 'One of the screen exams for bladder cancer is, for instance, just a regular urinalysis,' he said. 'It will pick up blood in the urine, which is a symptom. If you don't go to your primary care physician and have these basic screenings done, you miss it. And by the time you have obvious symptoms, you're further along the line for prostate cancer or colon cancer or breast cancer for Black women.' Varner said up to 70% of cancers are tied to food consumption, especially fast food and ultraprocessed products. 'In Black communities, there are one and a half times more fast-food restaurants,' he said. 'The reason why that matters is that fast food restaurants serve hyperprocessed foods, which leads to or increases the risk of cancer. And so right off the bat, it puts Black folks at a disadvantage.' 'It would help all people, and the Black community specifically, if some of the basic screenings were free,' Varner said. As an ER doctor, Varner said he often sees patients who have long had symptoms of a serious illness, but by the time they get to the hospital, 'they want immediate care.' But earlier screening would make the issue of care a little less invasive and daunting. Varner said prostate-specific screenings for cancer and analysis should be more broadly accessible. 'There are programs that help with the cost of some tests,' he said. 'But we have to take advantage of them and not wait until it's too late.'
