But Democrats, who could be on the cusp of taking back the Senate, argue the unresolved Zika funding, stalled Supreme Court nomination of Judge Merrick Garland, and lack of action on gun control, are proof of GOP recklessness and negligence and reasons why Republicans should be tossed from power.
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In May, the Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of a “clean” bill to provide $1.1 billion to fight the Zika virus, but the legislation failed in the House because the funding was not offset.
“That’s not a sustainable solution”, Obama said.
But President Barack Obama and Senate Democrat oppose that idea.
“We’re coming to the typical kind of stalemate, which has become all too familiar in divided government”. “But nevertheless, we’re going to work through these issues, and we will have a successful outcome to make sure just that, you know, the trains are running on time while we negotiate individual spending bills throughout the fall”.
Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic leader, said Republicans had sabotaged efforts to address Zika by including the restrictions on Planned Parenthood.
“If the Republican leader thinks there is a committee that needs to meet because of extraordinary circumstances, I would be pleased to consider his request”.
The stalemate has legislative leaders considering adding the money to whatever massive spending bill is required to keep the government running after the fiscal year ends September 30. The vote was 52 to 46, and Republicans needed 60 votes to advance the bill.
Most Senate Democrats voted against the motion, with only Senator Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., siding with the Republicans in the chamber. And Senate Republicans should not add any poison pill amendments created to sink the package.
Yet the process hit roadblocks early on.
Before the vote, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blamed his Democratic counterparts.
He said it is likely that Congress will have to pass a short-term spending bill that would keep the government open until sometime after the election in November. Republicans demand that no money in this convoluted bill go to fund any Planned Parenthood expenditure. He still wants to finish the regular appropriations bills, even if it takes until December. Too many college students can not afford to start college or are burdened with exorbitant loans when they graduate, which stops them from being able to buy a house or start a business.
The U.N. health agency is changing its advice to travelers returning from areas facing a Zika virus outbreak, saying both men and women should now practice safe sex or abstinence for six months. That legislation would be meant to keep the government funded because it seems increasingly likely that Congress will not pass its annual spending bills by then.
Though primarily spread by mosquitoes, Zika has been shown to exist in other bodily elements like semen, vaginal fluid, saliva and now, possibly, tears.
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Zika causes only mild symptoms for most people. One option is to roll the Zika funding into the short-term spending bill created to keep the government’s lights on.
