The US senate voted to advance $11 billion in emergency funds to fight Zika Virus, setting a battle with House Republicans with $622 million of mosquito-borne disease. This votes after three months in White house asked lawmakers for $1.9 billion for Zika research and prevention, citing concerns over fast moving disease.
The $1.1 billion passed by 68-29 vote fell short of President Barack Obama`s request with resistance in Republican-led House. $622 million representatives cobbled together from programs which include intended for Ebola.
“As of May 11, 2016, there were more than 1,200 confirmed Zika cases in the continental United States and US territories, including over 110 pregnant women with confirmed cases of the Zika virus,” said a White House statement.
From the US government a total number of $589 million Ebola`s reserves to bolster against Zika which is a US research program. The house plan was described by press secretary John Earnest as “Woefully insufficient.”The limits on funding were said by top officials at the National Institutes of Health and US center for disease control.
The $622 million would bring to @1.2 billion total amount of money allocated by Congress for Zika said the House speaker Paul Ryan. “Imposes responsibility constraints on the administration” also require the funds by September.
Zika virus can cause fetal brain defects and microcephaly and is blamed for 1200 cases of new born babied with some disorders and deformed brains in Brazil last year.