Lawmakers return from recess on Tuesday to develop a temporary spending bill to avoid a government shutdown. They have four weeks to make one in order for the government to continue after October 1.
The Zika virus has become one of the major concerns within the House and Senate. From Fox News:
Lawmakers left Washington in July without resolving a dispute over money for Zika. The virus can cause severe birth defects and is linked to a host of other maladies.The Senate is making the issue its first order of business — holding a procedural vote on Tuesday.Obama asked Congress in February for $1.9 billion in emergency money, but legislation to partially pay for his proposal collapsed in July amid various fights. Among them was a Republican provision to deny money to Puerto Rican affiliates of Planned Parenthood.Voters in Florida, where the virus is spreading from Puerto Rico, meanwhile, are blaming Republicans for the lack of additional funding and for taking such a long break amid such a major health concern.
House Republicans want to avoid as much pork as possible. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) also said they plan on legislation over Obama’s $400 million payment to Iran.
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