Political Quotes

“These organizations are blasting this Republican conference report because they want real legislation to fund Zika. They call on Congress to pass a bill that ``provides appropriate funding levels for all aspects of Zika response, including contraception for women who wish to avoid pregnancy, and to prevent the sexual transmission of Zika.'' They want a bill that ``does not draw funds from other important public health priorities, including Ebola efforts.'' They want a bill that ``does not place unreasonable restrictions on Zika funding, which would hinder the ability of agencies to respond to the virus given that its course is unpredictable.'' They want a bill that ``lays a foundation with FY2016 funding that can be built upon responsibly in subsequent fiscal years, since Zika will be a long-term challenge; and is capable of garnering bipartisan support.'' The letter continues: ``The fact that it is already almost July and Congress has failed to act would seem to reflect an appalling indifference to the lives of infants and their families.'' These are not Democrats saying this, these are these public health organizations. They are aghast at what Republicans are doing. Instead of accepting their bill is a failure that is going nowhere, Republicans are making these threats. Yesterday the assistant Republican leader came to the floor and said Republicans are going to abandon Zika funding negotiations after this vote.…”