WASHINGTON: US Senate Democrats blocked a $1.1 billion bill to combat the Zika virus for a third time after Republicans inserted provisions that would end funding for a major abortion provider. “It’s hard to explain why, despite their own calls for funding, Senate Democrats decided to block a bill that would keep pregnant women and babies safer from Zika,” he said on the Senate floor before reintroducing the previously blocked measure. The funding is now expected to be included in a bipartisan stopgap spending bill later this month. Zika is spread by mosquitoes and sexual contact. In the absence of a funding bill, the White House has been redirecting funds earmarked to fight Ebola, cancer and other diseases.

Source: Manila Times September 07, 2016 01:07 UTC