Bloomberg: Senate Republicans Preparing to Relent on Funding for Zika
“Senate Republicans are preparing to relent on a major portion of President Barack Obama’s emergency request to respond to the Zika virus. Republicans are drafting a more than $1 billion emergency plan, according to a Republican familiar with the matter, which could be attached to another appropriations bill in a committee as soon as Thursday…” (Dennis, 4/20).

CQ News: Senate GOP Appropriators May Add Zika Funds at Thursday Markup
“…Senate Democrats are working with Republicans on the supplemental appropriations package to combat the Zika virus, Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski of Maryland confirmed to CQ, though details remain sparse. … White House officials are ‘reassured that there appears to be initial steps to rectifying Congress’s failure to act to date’ on an emergency Zika funding bill, Peter Boogaard, White House spokesman, said in a statement to CQ Roll Call…” (Mejdrich/Lesniewski, 4/20).

The Hill: Senate leaders in talks to approve Zika funding
“…The Senate GOP’s efforts to approve funding for the Zika virus before the completion of this year’s appropriations process comes after a weeks-long dispute between administration officials and the GOP-led House Appropriations Committee…” (Ferris, 4/20).

New York Times: Senators Consider Funding Plan to Address Zika Threat
“…The financing, which is being considered by some members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, would supplement the $510 million the Obama administration recently redirected from fighting Ebola toward Zika, as congressional Republicans had urged…” (Huetteman/Davis, 4/20).

Roll Call: Zika Funding Compromise Proves Elusive So Far
“…Senior House Republicans, led by Speaker Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin and Appropriations Chairman Harold Rogers of Kentucky, say the White House is stonewalling them by refusing to answer questions about a $1.9 billion administration funding request. The Republicans seem skeptical that the Obama administration needs the entire amount to tackle the virus…” (Bennett, 4/20).