CQ HealthBeat: Zika Supplemental Pressure; House Budget Waits
“…House budget planners have developed a fiscal 2017 budget resolution but a vote on the measure has been deferred until next month (listen to CQ podcast on delay details). A separate fiscal 2016 supplemental spending bill seeking funds for a Zika virus awaits development by House appropriators. Democrats on Thursday reminded Republican leaders about the bill, but all three possible elements are disputed. GOP appropriators are looking to allow past Ebola virus funding covering more — and possibly offering a faster response option — of the $1.9 billion administration request for Zika virus response funding … Prior to leaving for a spring break, the Senate quietly approved a measure (S 2512) making a Zika virus vaccine eligible for an FDA priority review process…” (Jenks, 3/18).

Roll Call: Pelosi Urges Emergency Spending as Appropriations Markups Near
“House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Thursday called on the House to bring a supplemental appropriations bill to the floor before adjourning for the spring recess, calling the emerging threat of the Zika virus, opioid abuse, and the water crisis in Flint, Mich., ’emergencies’ that deserve urgent attention…” (Mejdrich/Lesniewski, 3/18).