Senator Lamar Alexander on Wednesday voted for legislation that will provide $1.1 billion to combat the spread of the Zika virus, keep government and national parks open and fund Pell grants for college students. The bill will keep the government open through Dec. 9.
Senator Alexander said, “Senate Democrats deserve no praise today for finally relenting and allowing the Senate to move forward with legislation that provides $1.1 billion to help protect babies from Zika-related birth defects.
They blocked this funding for three full peak-mosquito months, while thousands of expectant mothers lay awake at night wondering if one mosquito bite would forever change their families’ lives. This funding is long overdue—it should have passed unanimously back in June.”
The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 72 to 26 and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.