Zika funding stalls in the Senate amid partisan rift

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked a $1.1 billion Zika virus funding package drafted by congressional Republicans, citing politically motivated language aimed at Planned Parenthood and environmental regulations.

GOP leaders said the failure to advance the legislation would mean that Congress will likely be unable to address the threat posed by Zika for weeks because of the upcoming congressional recess.

“This is the one shot,” Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) told reporters. “There’s not going to be another opportunity to deal with this in the near future.”

The vote was 52 to 48, with 60 votes needed to advance the legislation.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/06/28/zika-funding-bill-expected-to-be-blocked-in-the-senate/?wpisrc=al_alert-COMBO-politics%252Bnation

[annabanana]

1. miserable fuckers

Mess up zika funding, slam Planned Parenthood.. What hell are they consigning women to?

[Igel]

2. If there's no compromise, there's only total victory or total defeat.

It makes life easier, esp. since for those who value purity over product total defeat is pure and grants bragging rights and blaming rights.

When it comes to some things, zika funding can be dispensed with. One frame is, "Is it really worth it to not fund anti-zika research and campaigns in order to hurt Planned Parenthood?" Another, equally valid frame is, "Is it really worth killing increased zika funding to protect Planned Parenthood?"

Doesn't matter. Obama already answered the question--he'd have vetoed this, and the primary effect of having the bill die in the legislature is to avoid the spread of the frame, "Obama killed zika funding and most likely killed Americans in order to protect Planned Parenthood."

[HockeyMom]

3. Think about which States are those with the most Zika cases

and the most potential to have locally transmitted cases. Think about which States have refused Medicaid Funding. Think about which States have passed Anti-Abortion Legislation. Think about in which States poor, pregnant women will have problems seeking any Reproductive Services, or even Zika testing.

Is all of this Democrats fault for not approving the Republican Poison Pill Zika Funding? Republicans want to have their cake and eat too.

[dembotoz]

4. well small brain capacity does fit with their base

[annabanana]

5. ooo

[proverbialwisdom]

6. Science Daily summary of new NEJM paper on Zika (June 15, 2016).

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160624150813.htm
http://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa1604037