Blunt: "Democrats' Vote Against Zika Funding Is a Shameful Display of Politics at Its Worst"

Press Release

U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, today blasted Senate Democrats for once again voting against critical funding to combat the Zika epidemic. This is the second time Senate Democrats have blocked the $1.1 billion agreement, which is the same funding level they unanimously supported in May. Blunt served as a member of the House-Senate conference committee on the Zika legislation.

"In the two weeks since Democrats first blocked the Zika funding agreement, there have been 1062 new cases in U.S. territories, 487 new travel-associated cases in the continental United States, and now the first Zika-related death in the continental United States," Blunt said. "How many more Americans have to get sick before Democrats quit their political posturing and work with us to get this agreement to the president's desk? Democrats' vote against Zika funding is a shameful display of politics at its worst, and it is putting the health of all Americans, particularly mothers and their unborn babies, at risk.

"Democrats' claim that this agreement will limit access to health care services is patently false. In fact, the agreement expands access to services beyond the president's request through more robust funding for Community Health Centers, public health departments, and hospitals in areas most affected by the Zika virus. It focuses on initiatives aimed at preventing, controlling, and treating the Zika virus, and provides the level of funding that is needed to immediately respond to this crisis. The conference agreement was made through good-faith negotiations, with extensive participation and input from Democrats. It is a targeted response that would provide real help, right now, to manage the current outbreak and prevent another epidemic. It is absolutely unconscionable for Democrats to continue standing in the way."

The conference report includes the same $1.1 billion funding level approved by the Senate in May. It fully funds vaccine research, and increases funding above the Senate level for mosquito control, Zika surveillance, and advanced development of treatments and diagnostics. This funding is in addition to the nearly $600 million in existing funding previously utilized by the administration to begin an immediate response to the Zika threat. There are currently 2,916 confirmed Zika cases in U.S. territories, and 1,306 travel-associated cases in the continental United States.

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