Zika Funding Advances in Congress

Both chambers of Congress have approved legislation to address the Zika pandemic. Major differences exist, however, between the House and Senate versions of this legislation. The Senate approved $1.1 billion in emergency funding, with no requirement to offset the spending from other programs. If enacted, the funds could be used for vaccine development and for mosquito control. The upper chamber also considered—and rejected—an amendment that would have provided more funding, as well as an amendment that would have offset the cost of combating Zika. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has voted to appropriate $622 million to fight Zika. These funds would be transferred from an existing account that was created to combat Ebola, as well as from other programs. Republican leaders say that additional funding for Zika will be provided as part of the normal appropriations process. The Obama Administration had requested $1.9 billion to address Zika. The House and Senate must now reconcile their differences and pass a compromise bill that the President will sign.      
Source: Public Policy Reports - Category: Biology Authors: Source Type: news