Reps. Curt Clawson (R-Fla.) and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) urged Senate leaders to pass a House-passed bill last month. Frieden warned that this could be the end for critical programs such as building a mosquito control agency in Puerto Rico, the point of origin of most U.S. Zika cases.
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Ryan said on a Wisconsin radio show Tuesday morning that there will be negotiations on the spending legislation as lawmakers return. Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, meanwhile, complain that the bill’s amendments amount to political blackmail and violate a May compromise on funding, which was less than the $1.8 billion originally requested in February by the Obama administration, but more than $600 million offered in April by Republicans.
“I don’t feel like they’re trying to do what’s best”, said Courtney Small of Fort Myers.
In a pair of votes, Democrats blocked taking up GOP bills to pay for a public health response to the virus and to fund the Pentagon next year leaving in doubt Congress’ ability to pass either bill.
The bill needed at least 60 votes to overcome a key procedural hurdle. That would avert settling the issue during a post-election, lame-duck session in December, when they believe retiring lawmakers who don’t have to face voters again are more inclined to accept wasteful spending.
“For this to get done, that language just may have to go away”, Blount said Tuesday after Senate Democrats blocked the House version for the third time.
There’s a lot on the docket, but there’s only one thing that Congress must do in the coming month: Figure out a way to keep the government open before spending legislation expires October 1.
“It seems that the Senate Democrats want a political issue, not a solution”. But those efforts have stalled in both chambers.
“Obviously what happens at the beginning of September could be very different from what happens at the end of September”, said Stan Collender, a Washington budget expert. Whatever Zika funding solution could be riding on that train, straight to the president’s desk. “Some of the studies that we have not been able to start are multiyear studies that require funding in the short term”.
As in years past, the House and Senate are far behind in approving the dozen annual appropriations bills essential to operating the government.
-Trade: Republican leaders have supported a sweeping Asia-Pacific trade deal backed by President Barack Obama, but it is opposed by most congressional Democrats and both major presidential candidates.
Republicans, such as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said “there’s no explanation” for not passing the bill, given the threat of Zika.
Ryan then adjourned the House.
Funds to combat the mosquito-borne Zika virus are also part of the spending talks. Many of them are also threatening to disrupt the House by pressing for a floor vote on whether to impeach Internal Revenue Commissioner John Koskinen in connection with his handling of the aftermath of an IRS scandal. “It is time to move forward”.
Zika can cause severe birth defects, including microcephaly. That means a delay for Zika vaccine development, virus research, and investigations of potential new outbreaks, according to federal health officials. “I can not imagine hanging Planned Parenthood onto a plan that fights a virus that is sexually transmitted, that impacts women and babies”, she said. For Republicans, any of that funding going to Planned Parenthood is a no-go because of the organization’s provision of abortion-related services, even if the Zika money itself is allocated for other uses.
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“The Senate has a mountain of work to do and no time to do it”, Reid said.
