The Senate voted 68-29 Tuesday to pass a bipartisan bill that would authorize $1.1 billion in emergency funds to support efforts that seek to prevent the spread of Zika virus, the New York Times reported Tuesday.David M. Herszenhorn writes the proposed legislation’s allocation is less than the $1.9 billion in funds that the Obama administration requested to fight the mosquito-borne virus.
The National Institutes of Health would receive $200 million in funds under the Senate bill that would finance efforts to fight Zika virus through Sept. 30, 2017, according to the newspaper.
NY Times added that the House also proposed a bill that would require the current administration to move $622 million in funds from other federal health initiatives to help combat the virus.
Jennifer Haberkorn also reported for Politico that the House measure introduced by House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Kentucky) would authorize funds through the end of September 2016.
The White House told Politico that President Barack Obama is likely to veto the House bill, which is expected to be voted upon later this week.
