Poison Pills In Zika Bill Likely Too Bitter For Democratic Senators To Swallow
The Senate is expected to take a procedural vote this week on a broad veterans and military spending bill that includes $1.1 billion to combat the Zika virus. But Democrats are balking at the deal due to provisions such as a cut to Planned Parenthood grants.
The Associated Press:
Congressional Dysfunction Likely To Stall Zika Funding Bill
President Barack Obama's $1.9 billion emergency request to combat a potential public health crisis from the Zika virus is more than 4 months old, but congressional dysfunction appears likely to scuttle a scaled-back version of the president's request, raising the prospect that Congress may leave on a seven-week vacation next month without addressing Zika. (Taylor, 6/28)
The New York Times:
Senate To Take Up House Bill On Zika Funding, Barbs And All
The House is not in session this week, providing lawmakers a timeout after last week’s tumultuous Democratic sit-in. But senators will be in town, and they have a fight of their own coming over a spending package to address the Zika public health threat. The military construction and veterans’ spending bill forced through by House Republicans with no debate early Thursday morning contains $1.1 billion for Zika preparation and prevention — but it also contains some poison-pill provisions that are likely to drive off any Democratic support, notably one restricting the use of the money by Planned Parenthood. (Hulse, 6/27)
The Hill:
McConnell Pressures Dems To Back Zika Deal
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is pressing Senate Democrats to back a House-passed deal on Zika funding ahead of a vote this week. "The House agreed to the funding level that Democrats supported unanimously," McConnell said from the Senate floor. "The agreement before us is a compromise with input from both parties, and it represents the last chance we will have to address Zika for weeks." (Carney, 6/27)
In other Zika news —
Politico:
Congress' Zika Fail Could Bite GOP In Election
The [Zika] stalemate carries real political risk: In 2014, Republicans blasted the Obama administration and Democrats’ response to Ebola, contributing to a public perception in the midterm election of feckless Democratic rule. Republicans gained control of the Senate that year — but now find their playbook is being used against them. Republicans “taught us with Ebola,” said Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). “A public health crisis? Take it seriously. I don’t believe they’ve taken it seriously at all.” (Everett and Haberkorn, 6/28)
The Baltimore Sun:
Emergent BioSolutions Lands $22 Million Order To Make Zika Vaccine Candidate
Emergent BioSolutions, a Gaithersburg-based drug developer, has received a federal task order worth up to $22 million to develop and manufacture a possible vaccine for the Zika virus, the mosquito-borne illness that is spreading rapidly through Central and South America. (Gantz, 6/27)
The Baltimore Sun:
State, Harford Health Officials Stress Prevention As Key To Stopping Zika Virus
With more than 800 cases of the Zika virus diagnosed in the U.S. – 26 of them in Maryland – Harford County and state health officials want residents to have as much information possible about the mosquito-borne disease and how to prevent it. (Anderson, 6/28)
