Congress has only a few weeks to pass a short-term bill that funds the government past September 30, the end of the fiscal year, and deal with a Zika funding spat that’s been hung up on whether funds should flow to Planned Parenthood, since the virus can cause birth defects.
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US health officials have concluded that Zika infections in pregnant women can cause microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size that can lead to severe developmental problems in babies.
For the third time in three months, Congress – as expected – refused to commit a promised $1.1 billion in emergency funding to fight the growing public health crisis of Zika.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters that the goal is to fund the government at last year’s levels, through December 9 of this year.
The Zika virus has become an increasing concern in Florida and other southern states.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen cares more about funneling taxpayer money to Planned Parenthood than she does about stopping the spread of the Zika virus.
On Tuesday night, Democrats blocked a bill.
Marco Rubio, voicing frustration that Congress has been unable to agree on funding the fight against Zika, introduced his own anti-Zika bill Thursday, this one meant to ease the impact the outbreak has had on local businesses. “He also said they are negotiating a bill to combat the Zika virus and is “hopeful and optimistic” a deal can be reached soon and that floor debate could begin next week…”
“Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who is anxious to both head off the threat of a government shutdown and preserve his Republican majority, announced Wednesday he is in talks with Senate Democrats and the White House to extend funding for federal agencies until December 9”.
According to Mattox, only FQHCs are “equipped” to handle Zika response because they have “medical professionals on staff … to diagnose and treat illness” while “Planned Parenthood does not”.
“A handful of Planned Parenthood clinics in Puerto Rico”, Thune continued.
John Thune, R-South Dakota, also called out the Democrats for blocking the measure due to their pro-abortion politics. According to Lawrence, Planned Parenthood has long “provided ongoing well-woman services and contraceptives to millions … and has been oftentimes the best access for some underprivileged women to get access to contraception”. But because of the risk of microcephaly, World Health Organization says men and women returning from areas where Zika infections are ongoing are “advised to wait at least six months before trying to conceive to ensure that possible virus infection has cleared”.
For the measure to pass, Democrats say Republicans must drop the provisions that have led them to oppose the bill since June.
But Planned Parenthood’s intentions are clear.
Lawrence’s argument is further supported by previous research from the Guttmacher Institute, which found that in 103 US counties, Planned Parenthood is the only “safety-net health center” accessible for those seeking contraception. It has been known to cause severe defects in babies born to Zika-infected mothers.
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“It is disappointing to watch Iowa’s GOP senators vote for a bill that would only partially fund the fight against the Zika virus and would punish women in Zika-affected areas by limiting their access to health services”, she said.
