[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9864]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           ZIKA VIRUS FUNDING

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, combating the spread of the Zika virus 
has been a priority for both parties so Republicans and Democrats 
deliberated and forged a compromise in committee. Senators debated that 
$1.1 billion compromise on the floor and voted to pass it. Every single 
Democrat voted for it--every one of them.
  We went to conference committee and the House agreed to fully fund 
the Senate-passed funding level. Now, with the House's action last 
night, we have a chance to send the $1.1 billion in Zika funding to the 
President's desk.
  This agreement will allow us to focus on immediate needs like 
mosquito control, while providing resources for longer term goals like 
a vaccine. It also takes a broader view that U.S. experts should also 
have the ability to address other emerging mosquito-borne diseases as 
well.
  The administration has called for Congress to take action on Zika by 
July 4. They have warned of dire consequences if Congress fails to act. 
Many of our colleagues here have raised similar concerns.
  The House did its part, and now the Senate needs to do its part. This 
agreement represents our only chance to put Zika control money to work 
right now. Again, it contains the exact amount of Zika funding passed 
by the Senate last month with the vote of every single Senate Democrat.
  Keeping Americans safe and healthy should be a top priority for all 
of us. We know pregnant women are at particular risk. Democrats should 
work with us to pass Zika control funding again, not block funding for 
combating this virus. Phony excuses and made up objections to the 
funding we have already passed will not help create a vaccine or 
eradicate the threat of Zika.
  We also have an opportunity to support our veterans. This agreement 
substantially increases critical resources to ensure veterans receive 
benefits and health care they have earned. It will enhance the 
oversight and accountability at the VA. It will help improve quality of 
life on military bases for soldiers and their families. It will also
advance critical national security projects like missile defense.
  The Senate voted overwhelmingly to support ideas like these last 
month, too. We should now vote to get this critical veterans funding 
bill down to the President for signature.

                          ____________________