Ryan Digs In On Planned Parenthood, Biden Fumes Over ‘Dysfunction’ — And Still No Zika Funding
Some congressional officials say a deal is in sight, but politics continue to throw a wrench in any forward movement on funding the health crisis response.
Politico:
Senate Nears Zika Funding Breakthrough
Senate leaders may be nearing a truce in the ideological battle over Planned Parenthood that's crippled Congress’ response to the Zika virus. Senior senators and aides said Thursday that the main impediment to a $1.1 billion bill to combat the virus — a fight over which health centers in Puerto Rico can use Zika funding — is likely to be dropped from the debate. That would allow the Zika money to more easily be tucked into a government funding bill that must pass by the end of the month to avoid a government shutdown. The House would remain a major hurdle, however: Republicans in that chamber are warning that they have a harder line against any funding that includes Planned Parenthood. (Everett, Kim and Haberkorn, 9/8)
The Hill:
Biden Storms Capitol To Lambaste GOP For Inaction
Vice President Biden stormed Capitol Hill on Thursday to amplify the Democrats' long-held charge that Republican "dysfunction" has paralyzed Congress at the expense of the country. Appearing on the steps of the Capitol on a sweltering day in Washington, the vice president accused the Republicans of undermining the judiciary system by blocking President Obama's Supreme Court nominee; threatening public health by stonewalling legislation to address the spread of the Zika virus; and endangering public safety by ignoring proposals to rein in gun violence. (Lillis, 9/8)
The Hill:
Ryan Refuses To Back Down On Zika Fight Over Planned Parenthood
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on Thursday again dismissed concerns that the GOP’s funding bill to fight the Zika virus intentionally targets Planned Parenthood, even as members of his party call for the controversial language to be removed. “First of all, there’s no Planned Parenthood [provision] in this bill, and to put an earmark for Planned Parenthood is something that we won’t do,” Ryan said at his weekly briefing. Ryan’s strong stance against changing the language to appease Democrats comes as Senate Republican leaders inch toward a deal that would likely take the Planned Parenthood fight out of the bill to fund Zika relief altogether. (Ferris, 9/8)
Morning Consult:
Senate Could Jam House With CR-Zika Package
Senators are optimistic that Zika funding will be easily attached and approved by the chamer in a continuing spending resolution, which could put House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) in an uncomfortable position. ... Senate negotiations are centered around $1.1 billion in funding to fund the federal government’s response to the virus, the amount included in the Senate’s original bill to respond to the virus and the conference report negotiated by top appropriators in both the House and the Senate. (McIntire, 9/8)
Health News Florida:
Gov. Scott 'Disappointed' Zika Funding Bill Fails To Pass Again
Governor Rick Scott says he’s disappointed by the failure of Congress to pass a Zika funding bill, and he’s not alone. (Cordner, 9/8)
In other Zika news —
The Wall Street Journal:
Brazil’s Attorney General Asks High Court To Allow Abortions For Women With Zika
Brazil’s attorney general is urging the nation’s Supreme Court to permit abortions for pregnant women infected with the Zika virus. Although there is no timeline yet for the high court to take up the matter, the proposal by Attorney General Rodrigo Janot has sparked objections from religious leaders and some legal authorities in socially conservative Brazil. Under current law, abortion is permitted under limited circumstances, such as when a woman has been raped or if her health is threatened by carrying her baby to term. (Jelmayer and Johnson, 9/8)
Health News Florida:
House Members Support Modified Mosquitoes To Combat Zika
With the number of locally transmitted Zika cases continuing to climb, 61 members of the Florida House have signed a letter urging federal officials to allow the use of genetically engineered mosquitoes to help combat the virus. (9/8)
Health News Florida:
Aerial Spraying For Zika In Miami Beach Delayed Until Friday
After a heated emergency workshop that included protests from neighbors against the use of a pesticide forbidden in Europe and exchanges between the Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, the aerial spraying of adulticide against mosquitoes in Miami Beach was postponed 24 hours until Friday morning. (Frontado, 9/8)
Health News Florida:
Healthy Start To Hold Zika Event For Pregnant Women In Tampa
The Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County will hold a Zika forum Friday in Tampa to address concerns about pregnancy. Zika infection is linked to microcephaly, a birth defect that causes infants to be born with small heads. (Miller, 9/8)
