As mentioned in previous NCSD Federal Policy Updates, Congress is currently on recess until after Labor Day.  Earlier this summer, members of Congress had worked on an emergency funding package to address the Zika virus.  Both chambers of Congress passed Zika emergency funding bills, but unfortunately, the process broke down during Conference Committee (where members from both Chambers work to hammer out differences in legislation).  In late June, the Conference Committee passed what was widely considered a partisan Zika emergency funding package, which, among other concerns, partially paid for the Zika funding by cuts to the Affordable Care Act.  As a result, the Conference Committee package was not supported by Democrats and the Senate did not pass it.  In addition, President Obama had issued a veto threat for the Conference package.

NCSD joined a number of coalition letters throughout this time urging action on this Zika emergency funding package: first to Conference Committee members, then to Congressional leaders asking the Conference Committee to re-convene, then to Congressional leadership asking they pass Zika funding that the President would sign before they recessed for the summer.  Unfortunately, this did not occur, and Congress has not yet passed additional funding to stop the spread of the Zika virus.  In addition to not addressing the need for funding to address Zika, particularly in states hardest hit, like Florida, not passing emergency funding for Zika sets up the possibility for funding it through the regular appropriations process.  This, obviously, puts additional fiscal pressures on the FY17 Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations bill.

NCSD will certainly keep you updated on any action on Zika funding when Congress returns in September.