Zika funding fight resolved as Congress OKs $1.1 billion for vaccine, testing

The months-long battle in Congress over funding to help combat the Zika virus has ended, as both the House and Senate approved a $1.1 billion package Sept. 28 as part of a larger government spending bill.

While the overall funding for federal agencies is below the $1.9 billion President Barack Obama requested in February, it does provide the money for several major priorities to combat Zika’s spread: $397 million will go towards developing a vaccine and more effective testing for a Zika diagnosis, along with $394 million for mosquito abatement.

In the months between the request and the bill’s passage, the virus has spread to mosquitoes in the U.S., and the number of confirmed cases in the country and Puerto Rico has risen to more than 23,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Florida has been the most affected state, with 904 confirmed cases of Zika and 109 of those coming from local transmission. Rep. David Jolly, R-Florida, welcomed the end of the stalemate while hinting more funding may be required later.

“The Zika (virus) outbreak is a public health issue, not a political one,” Jolly said in a statement. “Though politics have prevented us from approving an emergency funding package earlier this year, Congress tonight did the right thing. The measure approved tonight will provide funds for mosquito control, for vaccine development, and health care services for women, children, and families affected by Zika (virus). We may need more money in the coming months, but Floridians can finally rest easier knowing steps are being taken to fight this virus.”

The political battle has led groups like Trust for America’s Health to advocate for a permanent public health emergency fund, so future requests don’t sit unfulfilled for months in Congress.

“Sadly, with each new crisis, we seemingly rediscover that we have failed to learn our lessons from past outbreaks,” said Trust for America’s Health President and CEO Richard Hamburg. “It's up to policymakers to support children, parents and families by providing public health with dedicated funding and a responsible long-term plan.”