Health Experts, Political Leaders: Congress Can't Adjourn Without Zika Bill
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Health experts along with political leaders are calling for Congress not to adjourn before passing a bill on Zika funding.
Republicans on Capitol Hill argue that the money already reassigned to help the fight against the spread of Zika in the United States has not been spent. However the Centers for Disease Control reports $222 million has been sent to states, cities and medical research partners. They argue more is needed for research, to develop a vaccine and to keep the virus from spreading.
The virus - spread through mosquitoes or sexual contact - has been linked to birth defects in children, something the administration says is a matter of public concern, not politics.
"Delaying deployment of vaccine will harm pregnant women and their babies," said Deputy Homeland Security Advisor Amy Pope. "Zika is a medical emergency. We need Congress to treat it that way."
Related: CDC Says Zika Definitely Causes Severe Birth Defects
Senator Bill Nelson of Florida is at the forefront of the fight for a bi-partisan bill to pass before Congress adjourns on July 15th.
"Since we are at the 11th hour and 59th minute before Congress is gone all summer, we have to get something passed," said Nelson.
Florida is considered the front-line in the fight due to its proximity to Latin America and the Caribbean where the virus continues to spread. As of Thursday, there were 263 people with travel-related cases of the virus in Florida. Of those, 43 are pregnant women. Around the U.S., the CDC says there a total of 1,130 cases so far.
Related: Concerns Grow After 1st Baby Born With Zika-Related Birth Defect In Florida
CDC officials are especially concerned after the first child with a birth defect linked to the Zika virus was born last month in Florida. It's something they don't want to see repeated throughout the U.S.
"Each case is a tragedy. A child who may never walk or live independently," said Director of the Centers for Disease Control Dr. Tom Frieden.
With about one week left before Congress adjourns, both sides are fighting over differing funding measures. President Barack Obama requested $1.9 billion in funding back in February but neither the House nor the Senate have been able to come up with a bill they both agree on.
Related: Gov. Scott Allocates Money For Zika Fight
Last week, President Obama put more pressure on Congress to pass a Zika-prevention bill - criticizing lawmakers for "playing politics" with public health.
Amid fears the virus could soon make its way to the continental United States, experts say we can all do our part in preventing the spread starting in our own homes. Click here for tips on how to prevent the spread of Zika.
Click here for more information on the Zika virus.
