U.S. Senate Democrats Argue Recess Should Be Postponed Until Zika Funding Compromise Reached

CQ News: Democrats: Women’s Health Services Lacking in Zika Funding Bill
“Senate Democrats on Thursday doubled down on their claims that the GOP-written Zika virus response package the Senate rejected Tuesday was largely a Republican assault on women’s health…” (McCrimmon, 6/30).

The Hill: Senate Dems: No August break without Zika deal
“Top Senate Democrats lashed out at Republicans Thursday, arguing they shouldn’t leave for a seven-week recess without reaching a deal to fund the fight against the Zika virus. ‘We’re going on a seven-week vacation … and unless the Republicans become sensible, the Zika virus will have no work done,’ Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) told reporters. ‘This is really outrageous that we’re going to go on vacation while this national emergency is pending’…” (Carney, 6/30).

TIME: Republicans and Democrats Play Chicken With Zika Funding
“…Indeed, the Senate has just three working days next week following the July 4 break to pass Zika funding, or it will punt until September, when Congress is next in session. The Zika bill failed a Senate vote on Tuesday, largely because of Democratic opposition to what they called ‘poison pills’ [in the package]…” (Newton-Small, 6/30).

Washington Post: March of Dimes petitions Congress to fund fight against Zika
“The March of Dimes is petitioning lawmakers to fund Zika prevention efforts, days after congressional efforts to fight the virus failed. The organization, which works to end premature birth and birth defects, put a petition on its website Thursday to tell lawmakers that fighting Zika should be a bipartisan effort…” (Zezima, 6/30).

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