Johnson Comments on Zika Legislation Votes

Press Release

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) commented Tuesday after voting for legislation that would provide an additional $1.1 billion to combat the Zika virus by shifting money from lower priority federal programs. The legislation was sponsored by Johnson and by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). Johnson said this afterward:

"While I fully support prioritized funding to combat the real and spreading biological threat of the Zika virus, we can, and should, offset that spending by repurposing funds from lower priority programs. I offered and supported two separate pieces of legislation that did just that. Unfortunately, the Senate intends to fund these important efforts by further mortgaging our children's future. As a result, I could not support that irresponsible method of funding."

Johnson voted "no" on amendments that did not take a fiscally responsible approach.

Johnson and Cornyn's legislation would have:

Appropriated $1.1 billion in supplemental funding to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of State.
Funded the appropriation by cutting $1.1 billion from the Obamacare Prevention and Public Health Fund in fiscal years 2017 and 2018.
Cut through federal regulations that prevent state and local authorities from effectively spraying against mosquitos year-round.

Johnson's legislation introduced in February of this year would have:

Provided flexibility to use existing, unused funds that had been set aside for combating the largely controlled Ebola outbreak of 2014.
Lifted restrictions on the funds to allow it to be spent for response and preparedness related to the Zika virus.

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