Senate Swats Away Zika Virus Package
A Republican measure to fight the Zika virus has died in the Senate, where it didn’t get enough support.
FOX’s Jill Nado has details from Washington:
Democrats didn’t like it, the President threatened to veto it and now the $1.1 billion package didn’t get enough backing in the Senate to get to through.
Democrats opposed it because it contained some poison pills, like restrictions on funding for Planned Parenthood.
Now Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid says the battle against the disease needs more money:
(Reid) “Republicans need to get serious about sending President Obama the full 1.9 bill that doctors, nurses, public health experts say is need to fight Zika.”
But Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says Democrats are playing games:
(McConnell) “This is all partisan politics.”
No word yet on when lawmakers may take up Zika funding again.
In Washington, Jill Nado, FOX News.