Battle Over Planned Parenthood Funding For Zika Virus In Senate
WASHINGTON – This is a big week for Floridian’s as they hope to see money headed into the state to combat the mosquito that carry the dangerous Zika virus. But in the Senate, Republicans and the Democrats are battling over a funding bill and Planned Parenthood is in the middle of the fight.
The bad news for Floridians is that there is very slight chance, Senate Republicans are not going to pass any legislation that has any money going to Planned Parenthood. It’s worth noting that no federal money given to the organization is used for abortions but only for women’s health issues like the Zika virus.
Despite the fact that the Zika virus has infected millions of people—including thousands of pregnant women worldwide and close to 300 pregnant women in the United States—Senate has yet to pass a bill that would provide funding to combat it. Just about a week ago, Senate once again failed to pass a funding bill, and this time, the bill collapsed largely because of arguments over whether funding should be given to Planned Parenthood for women to get the much needed protection.
Zika, which is spread by sex as well as mosquitoes, is directly related to contraceptive health. At the moment ultrasounds are currently the only way to detect microcephaly before a child is born, and the virus also appears to last longer during pregnancy. Evidence suggests that women living in countries where Zika is spreading are increasingly seeking abortions, especially in places where the procedure is illegal.
“The bill includes an ideological rider blocking access to contraception for women in the United States, including women in Puerto Rico, even though this is a sexually transmitted disease,” said White House deputy press secretary Eric Schultz, ABC reports.
An angry Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY): “Republicans can’t miss a chance to whack Planned Parenthood, even if their services are exactly what can help prevent the spread of this debilitating virus.”
Democrats also opposed measures in the bill that they argued would weaken environmental laws against pesticides.
Because of the July 4 recess, followed by another recess from the middle of the month until after Labor Day, there is now a small window of time to pass funding for the virus. Mosquito season in the United
What is at stake is $1.1 billion in funding to combat Zika. It had already passed the House of Representatives, but, when it came to the Senate floor last Tuesday, it did not get the 60 votes needed to clear a procedural hurdle. The vote was 52 in favor and 48 against on a mostly party-line vote.
Now as Congress returns to Washington this week for two weeks before they head home for seven week’s recess. At the moment it remains unclear Both sides warned the other that there could be a political price to pay in an election year for stalling on Zika funding.
Democrats have been urging Republicans for months to agree to Zika funding. The Republican plan would have funded mosquito control efforts by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as vaccine research by the National Institutes of Health, and money for community health centers in areas that are experiencing the highest rates of Zika transmission.
Health experts have warned that local transmission will likely occur in the continental United States, with Florida being a prime target as the warmer weather and thunderstorms hit the state.
Democrats have been urging Republicans for months to agree to Zika funding. The Republican plan would have funded mosquito control efforts by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as vaccine research by the National Institutes of Health, and money for community health centers in areas that are experiencing the highest rates of Zika transmission.
The Planned Parenthood funding will likely keep the Republicans from passing the legislation. The summer could be dangerous for those in Florida without the cash to fund combating the Zika virus.
President Barack Obama had vowed to veto the plan, which falls short of his $1.9 billion initial request, if it ever arrived on his desk.
