Potential Political Fallout Lurks On Edges Of Zika Fight As Feuding Derails Funding Progress
Senate negotiators moved closer to a deal on funding to fight zika but Republicans are split on the effort, with Florida Sen. Marco Rubio leading the charge for increased funding. His state, an election battleground, is one that is most threatened by the virus.
The New York Times:
Senate Nears Deal For At Least $1.1 Billion To Fight Zika Virus
Senate negotiators on Tuesday moved closer to an agreement to provide at least $1.1 billion in emergency financing to combat the rapidly spreading Zika virus, which public health officials warn poses an imminent threat in the United States, but House Republicans said they were still not ready to approve additional funds. ... Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri, a Republican who has led negotiations for his party, said Tuesday that his talks with Senator Patty Murray of Washington, a Democrat, had produced the outlines of an agreement that would provide about $1.1 billion in additional financing. Mr. Blunt said negotiators were still discussing details, including how much money would need to be restored for work on Ebola. (Herszenhorn, 4/26)
Bloomberg:
Zika Fight Starts To Bite Republicans Ahead Of Mosquito Season
Senate Republican leaders entered this week hoping to act quickly to fight the Zika virus, but ran into internal feuding and now face the prospect of political fallout in election battleground states like Florida. Talks with Democrats on an emergency spending package stalled and lawmakers now anticipate doing nothing before they leave on a one-week recess at the end of the week. Republican leaders say they will bring a bill to the Senate floor at some point as they continue to negotiate on the details, but it remains unclear when and how such a measure would advance. (Dennis, 4/26)
The Hill:
Rift Opens In GOP Over Zika Funding
Congressional Republicans are split on whether to provide emergency funding to fight the Zika virus. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) cast doubt on the emergency request Tuesday, saying he thinks the issue should be dealt with through the regular appropriations process. That would mean new funds have to wait until Oct. 1. (Sullivan, 4/26)
Meanwhile, in Ohio —
The Columbus Dispatch:
State Wants Local Health Departments, Residents To Be On Guard Against Zika
The growing threat of Zika — a virus linked to severe birth defects when pregnant woman are infected — has vaulted the pest to scary new levels and sent health officials scrambling to mount a defense against the possible spread of the disease in the United States. With a Zika vaccine nowhere in sight, prevention efforts largely have turned to the insects primarily responsible for transmitting the virus. Which is why dozens of people sat in a room talking about mosquitoes today at the Ohio Department of Transportation. (Kurtzman, 4/26)
