To underscore that Florida has become the latest “ground zero” in the U.S. mainland battle against the mosquito-borne virus, Republican Gov. The outbreak has pushed Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio to renew his calls for Congress to pass a significant funding bill. In February the Obama administration asked for $1.9 billion in order to fight the virus, including funding for vaccine development. Shortly after the bill stalled in the Senate in June, Congress broke for summer recess, leaving unresolved the question of Zika funding. On one hand he has passionately called for more funding, but on the other he rejected the Senate bill for taking funding away from Puerto Rico and for limiting its use.

Source: Fox News August 19, 2016 19:52 UTC