Zika funding stalls in the Senate amid partisan rift

[Draggingtree]

The Washington Post : Zika funding stalls in the Senate amid partisan rift

 

By Kelsey Snell and Mike DeBonis June 28 at 12:50 PM

 

Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked a $1.1 billion Zika-virus funding package drafted by congressional Republicans, citing politically motivated language aimed at Planned Parenthood and environmental regulations.

 

The partisan clash casts serious doubt on whether Congress will be able to heed increasingly dire warnings from public health officials and provide new funds to combat the virus before lawmakers leave Washington next month for an extended congressional recess.

 

Top Senate leaders appeared to be sharply at odds after the vote failed 52 to 48, with 60 votes needed to advance the legislation. Each side charged that the other would be responsible if money isn’t approved and the virus, which causes birth defects, begins to spread in the United States over the summer.