RGV Proud - Dollar Amount For Zika Uncertain In Congress

News Article

By Unknown

As more cases of Zika are reported closer to the valley, the urge for funding to fight the virus continues to grow. Congress is close to passing a Zika funding bill that will provide millions of dollars.

President Obama's request for $1.9 billion to help with Zika preparedness response efforts, has been put on hold by congress since February, but that may change pretty soon.

Leaders in congress have been making progress on reaching an agreement for Zika funding.

Congressman Henry Cuellar told News Center 23, that although congress may not approve the amount the President is asking for, he's confident they will agree on more money than the $600 million Republicans were trying to approve.

Congressman Henry Cuellar, "We're hoping that by next week or so, we should have a bill that will provide about $1.1 billion for the Zika virus. Next week the senate should pass their version, and then we might pass the next week. It just depends when they do their work, but the money will be available as soon as it's signed by the President."

Local health officials say the Zika funding bill will be a huge help, but while they wait on congress, they're going to continue fighting the disease any way they can.

Eddie Olivarez, Hidalgo County Health Director, "It can be very beneficial to us. For surveillance, and for education, awareness, intervention... But right now, we're not waiting for the money. We're already doing a lot of things. We're taking part in our things, on activity. Now if any future funding would come this way, it would be welcomed."

Congress is also trying to pass a short term government funding bill before September 30th, which is when funding for the federal government is set to run out. Failure to do so will cause another government shutdown, meaning the Zika funding bill will continue to be on hold.

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