Congress enters 7-week recess with no compromise on Zika funding

Congress was unable to reach an agreement this week over funding for Zika virus relief and prevention funding before entering a 7-week recess.

A $1.1 billion relief measure passed in the House and backed by Republicans was repeatedly contested by Senate Democrats, who said the compromise bill did not provide enough support and contained attacks on women’s access to reproductive care and other political measures. As legislative officials exited Washington on Thursday, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., pointed to his Republican colleagues as the true source of the stalemate.

“We offered Republicans a legitimate compromise in the hopes they would join us at the negotiating table,” Reid said in a release. “But it’s clear they don’t want to stay in D.C. They want to rush to Cleveland and waive the flag for Donald Trump. That’s why they are imposing imaginary deadlines on Zika legislation.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., had similar complaints. In a statement released Thursday morning, he said Democrats’ objections to the proposed relief were grounded in political maneuvering and did not take into account those at immediate risk for infection.

“Democrats now say they’ll only accept a Zika bill if it limits health care funding in the territories that need it most, drops critical funding for our veterans, and even restricts the ability to kill mosquitoes,” McConnell said in the release. “It’s time to get back to reality. This is a serious crisis that demands serious solutions. It’s time for our friends to start worrying less about pleasing outside political groups and start worrying more about actually helping the Americans who are counting on us.”

Amanda J. Jezek, vice president of public policy and government relations for the Infectious Diseases Society of America, said her organization is “deeply disappointed” with Congress’ inability to pass emergency funding, especially as Zika-carrying mosquitoes become more prevalent with the warmer weather.

“With summer upon us, the U.S. faces a very real threat of local transmission of Zika, and Congress has left state and local public health entities without the resources they need for robust prevention and response activities,” Jezek told Infectious Disease News. “Many individuals, including pregnant women, are already grappling with Zika in U.S. territories and other countries.

“In addition to immediate concerns regarding Zika, the congressional stalemate underscores the need for a new mechanism — such as an infectious diseases emergency fund — to help ensure that the U.S. can provide a swift and appropriate response to future infectious diseases outbreaks.”

Following President Barack Obama’s request for $1.9 billion in Zika funding in February, his administration announced plans to redirect approximately $510 million from resources previously allocated to combat Ebola virus efforts. These actions have substantially weakened efforts to prevent Ebola and other emerging diseases in West Africa, members of the administration said in April, underlining the urgent need for legislative leaders to promptly provide the requested financial support. – by Dave Muoio