Obama Tells Congress To 'Do Its Job' On Zika

WASHINGTON ― Saying the Zika threat is “getting critical,” President Barack Obama called on Congress Thursday to go back to work and pass the funding he has sought since February to combat the disease now spreading in Florida. Lawmakers failed to pass any funding to deal with the mosquito-borne disease before they went on their seven-week break last month. Since then, at least 15 Americans have gotten infected in the Miami area. “Congress needs to do its job,” Obama said in a news conference at the Pentagon. “Fighting Zika costs money.” Obama originally asked for $1.9 billion to beef up preparedness, spur research on vaccines and diagnostic tools, and to help local agencies cope with the spread of the virus, especially in areas such as Puerto Rico. The virus is most dangerous to pregnant women, whose babies can suffer severe birth defects, most notably microcephaly. “Not only did the Republican-led Congress not pass our request, they worked to cut it, and then they left for summer recess without passing any new funds for the fight against Zika,” Obama said. The administration transferred $589 million from other programs ― primarily efforts to control Ebola ― but federal officials have warned repeatedly that cash for key Zika programs will expire this month. That includes money needed to develop vaccines and better diagnostic methods. “Now the money we need to fight Zika is running out. The situation is getting critic...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news