Florida GOP Begs Paul Ryan for Zika Funding

Florida Republicans are pressuring House Speaker Paul Ryan to push through a billion-dollar program to help the Sunshine State battle the escalating Zika virus.

The package was never acted on earlier this summer because of infighting between Republicans and Democrats.

But now, with the reports of the virus spreading further, and worries that there could be political repercussions, some rank-and-file Republicans want the program passed, period, Politico reports.

The news website says Rep. Carlos Curbelo fears "Congress' lack of action could cripple him in an already tough re-election battle."

In addition, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen wants to convene an emergency session of Congress to pass a Zika bill.

And Rep. Dennis Ross wants the GOP to fully fund President Barack Obama's $1.9 billion funding plan for Zika, Politico says.

Public pressure is also building for the government to do something.

In an editorial, The Tampa Bay Times criticized the House for padding the bill with language that turned "what should have been a no-brainer vote into a partisan hot potato … Continuing to ignore a serious public health crisis is exponentially more costly…"

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