Gov. Scott Blasts Congress Over Lack Of Zika Funding
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
JACKSONVILLE (CBSMiami) - During a stop in Jacksonville to thank first responders in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Colin, Gov. Rick Scott took the opportunity to blast Congress for their failure to pass funding for Zika prevention.
"It's really disappointing that Congress went on recess, went on vacation. Zika is not going to go on recess, it's not going to go on vacation," said Scott.
Last week Gov. Scott wrote a letter to President Barack Obama requesting funding and a detailed plan that would address emergency funding. On Tuesday he said he was concerned about all the rain from Colin creating mosquito breeding grounds.
When asked if he'd authorize state reserve funds to fight the virus, Scott hedged on his answer.
"The state's always gonna do the right thing, no different than what we did yesterday. Whether it's mosquito-born, whether it's the county health departments, or all the first responders, we're gonna do the right thing with regards to Zika."
Scott has requested from the feds, among other things, 5-thousand Zika preparedness kits. According to the Governor's letter Clay County and St. Johns County have made specific requests for mosquito control personnel and insecticide.
President Obama has been pushing Congress for $1.9 billion in emergency supplemental funding to pay for research and treatment of the virus. Before they went on break, the House had a $622.1 million funding measure and the Senate was pushing for a $1.1 billion proposal.
As of Monday, Florida totaled 128 Zika cases that don't involve pregnant women. The state also had 38 cases in which pregnant women showed symptoms of Zika or met a definition of having the virus.
All of the Florida cases were contracted out of state. Health officials worry that the disease could spread in Florida since mosquitoes thrive in the warmer summer months.
