Democrats Strike Down Zika Funding

[PACOX]

A divided Senate on Tuesday again rejected a funding bill to fight the Zika virus, proving that Congress’s months-old stalemate went resolved over its lengthy summer recess.

In a 52-46 procedural vote, the Senate failed to win the 60 votes necessary to move forward and end debate on a conference report with the House on the issue.

Democrats unanimously voted to block the $1.1 billion funding bill, which was approved by House Republicans in June but has now failed three times in the Senate because of divisive language targeting Planned Parenthood.

The Zika funding bill was attached to next year's spending bill for military construction and veterans affairs, typically one of the least controversial spending bills in either chamber.

Speaking on the floor Tuesday afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) argued that Democrats had "filibustered" the funding for both Zika and veterans.

Minutes later, his counterpart, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), blasted the GOP for adding in language targeting Planned Parenthood, along with other partisan measures that he described as “strange, weird stuff."

“Republicans were more interested in attacking Planned Parenthood and flying the confederate flag. Can’t make that stuff up — that’s really the truth — than protecting women and babies from this awful virus,” Reid said from the floor.

Lawmakers from both parties hope Tuesday’s vote will be the final showdown before a deal is unveiled later this month as part of a bipartisan government spending package.

McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) have both vowed to get money out the door to fight Zika by the end of September. Senate GOP leaders acknowledged for the first time Tuesday that the Zika funding will likely be wrapped into the stopgap spending bill, known as the continuing resolution.

"You know I assume that it would be wrapped in the year-end fiscal negotiations that would lead to some sort of continuing resolution. That's my assumption," Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), the Senate majority whip, told reporters just before Tuesday’s failed vote.

Some Republicans, including those in Florida facing the most intense pressure on Zika funding, have already hinted that the GOP will have to drop its Planned Parenthood language to get a bill passed in the upper chamber.

“For this to get done, that language just may have to go away,” Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), a leading negotiator on Zika who faces reelection this fall, told McClatchy.

The Senate’s bill would have provided about $1.1 billion, including about $350 million in new money and the rest coming from existing health accounts, such as a fund for fighting the Ebola virus.

Earlier this summer, the Senate approved a different, bipartisan $1.1 billion funding package, though it was ultimately in the House because the funding was not offset.

Both bills are shy of the White House’s total $1.9 billion request, which Republicans from Florida — such as vulnerable incumbents Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Carlos Curbelo — have backed.

I feel like stuff like this is why people don't trust particular parties. A bill to efforts against Zika was introduced to the house but approving it meant taking away from Planned Parenthood (so much irony in that statement) and allowing the Confederate flag to be flown veteran cemeteries (why would the military endorse battle flag of a defeated traitor nation).

Of course in a few months we'll hear how so and so didn't approve the bill but they'll "forget" to mention what was attached to the bill.

[I Push Buttons]

I enjoy how you criticize the Republican position yet include the clickbait title that makes it seem like Democrats are trying to kill babies or something.

[Crissi]

So both parties are being whiny idiots? surprise surprise.

[Moralgy]

Vote for a clean Zika Funding Bill for fucks sake. Argue your ideological opposition to planned parent hood another time.

[I Push Buttons]

So both parties are being whiny idiots? surprise surprise.

Today I learned refusing to de-fund Planned Parenthood makes one a whiny idiot...

[Edge-]

Vote for a clean Zika Funding Bill for fucks sake. Argue your ideological opposition to planned parent hood another time.

Republicans have tried and failed each time, especially because defunding PP isn't popular outside of their hardcore base. That's why they continue to try to slip it into bills like this, where Democrats voting against it can be cast in a negative light and where, even if it passes, they can shift a solid chunk of the blame to Democrats should the electorate end up being pissed about it.

This is all they have left. That, and completely made up charts.

[Dendrek]

This situation is a Republican wet dream. Everything about it screams "Democrats hate veterans and want to kill babies." Good for them. Keep that propaganda machine churning out those small victories.

[Crissi]

Today I learned refusing to de-fund Planned Parenthood makes one a whiny idiot...

If some vet wants to fly the confederate flag on their grave, let them. No skin off my back

[Edge-]

If some vet wants to fly the confederate flag on their grave, let them. No skin off my back

If they're graves in a military cemetery, I can see why that would be an issue.

Though honestly, I'm struggling to think of another country that has such a large segment of the population that continues to proudly and publicly support the losing side of a civil war, or at least some of their symbols.

[Crissi]

If they're graves in a military cemetery, I can see why that would be an issue.

Though honestly, I'm struggling to think of another country that has such a large segment of the population that continues to proudly and publicly support the losing side of a civil war, or at least some of their symbols.

oh I think its bonkers and stupid, but if they wanna proudly proclaim their ignorance...meh.

[Deleted]

If they're graves in a military cemetery, I can see why that would be an issue.

Though honestly, I'm struggling to think of another country that has such a large segment of the population that continues to proudly and publicly support the losing side of a civil war, or at least some of their symbols.

People fought and died on both sides, if confederate troops are buried there I do not see the issue.

[Thepersona]

Today I learned refusing to de-fund Planned Parenthood makes one a whiny idiot...

defunding PP makes someone a scumbag

[Sunseeker]

Probably because the 1.1 billion-dollar package also included defunding Obamacare.

[TrumpIsPresident]

Blocks bills or lets them sit on the speakers desk.
Runs to media cries about "obstructionism".
We've seen this game before.

[Templar 331]

I feel that the only reason that a Republican lead House would agree to allocated $1.1 billion to anything is because they know it wouldn't pass. >.>

[unbound]

Of course in a few months we'll hear how so and so didn't approve the bill but they'll "forget" to mention what was attached to the bill.

Oh, don't be silly. Conservative news sites will be doing that next week, not in a few months.

[BuckSparkles]

If they're graves in a military cemetery, I can see why that would be an issue.

Though honestly, I'm struggling to think of another country that has such a large segment of the population that continues to proudly and publicly support the losing side of a civil war, or at least some of their symbols.

Why would it be an issue? They were still Americans. And yes I know liberals like to think the confederate flag is evil (they already think the american flag is evil) and all that but some people like the rebel symbolism or southern pride.

[Sky High]

if the GOP stops slipping in this language stating the defending of social health care programs I might be mad at the Dems for this.

[Healing Rain]

No surprise. Democrats won't rest until the government is paying people to kill their children. How anyone could vote for such a morally bankrupt party boggles my mind!

[Thepersona]

Why would it be an issue? They were still Americans. And yes I know liberals like to think the confederate flag is evil (they already think the american flag is evil) and all that but some people like the rebel symbolism or southern pride.

source of that?
the confederate flag in itself isnt evil, but represents at this moment southern (read: white) pride