Congress clears stopgap spending bill, $1.1B to fight Zika

– The US Congress approved Wednesday a bill to temporarily fund the federal government, including $1.1 billion to combat the Zika virus as well as funds to deal with a drinking water crisis in the city of Flint in MI.

In the House, the short-term appropriations spending bill passed by a vote of 342-85, with nearly an equal number of Republicans (170) and Democrats (172) supporting it. But House leadership came to the rescue Wednesday, reaching a deal to include Flint funding in the water-infrastructure bill when it comes to the floor after the November election.

During the House debate on the water provision, Michigan Democratic Rep. Dan Kildee, who represents the city of Flint and pleaded for months for Congress to help with resources to replace lead pipes and provide health services to sick residents, said “my constituents have been waiting for more than a year for the help they need”.

Also, good news for the Sunshine State as funds have been allocated for Florida to fight the Zika virus. Besides the regular government funding, it would also provide $1.1 billion in emergency funding to fight the Zika virus, but it’s offset by $400 million that would be taken away from programs Democrats view as crucial.

The temporary spending bill sped through the House shortly after the chamber passed a water projects bill containing the breakthrough compromise on Flint.

Because the Flint money was stalled, Senate Democrats voted Tuesday to derail a must-pass bill to avert a government shutdown this weekend.

While some Republicans oppose the amendment, Michigan Rep. John Moolenaar, a co-sponsor, expects it to be adopted. French Hill and Bruce Westerman voting against the aid package.

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan said the funding deal would “help unlock” the spending bill while speaking at the Economic Club of Washington Wednesday.

According to USA Today, the White House indicated that President Barack Obama supports the legislation and plans to sign it into law no later than Friday (30 September).

McConnell, R-Ky., said that the long-quarrelling Senate finally has “a path forward” on the stopgap spending bill measure.

The federal aid package passed by the Senate would fund a portion of those costs while also helping Flint and other communities deal with the problems from lead exposure.

On Wednesday, Congress approved $1.1 billion in funding to combat the Zika virus in a short-term spending bill. The commitment from the House allowed Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to support the continuing resolution before the Senate and for his caucus to fall in line behind him. So with just two days left until federal money ran out, it looked like a government shutdown starting October 1 was possible.

With existing funds due to expire on Saturday, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers said the legislation “is a last resort, but at this point it is what we must do.to keep the lights on in our government”.