“We stand ready to work cooperatively with you to address this national public health emergency,” they wrote. “I frankly do not understand how Senate Democrats, having taken this position previously, can come in here and engage in a partisan filibuster to stop funding for this impending public health crisis,” Cornyn said. “I know we have to do something, and someone has to figure out how to do it.”Blunt and Murray co-sponsored a bipartisan funding package that passed the Senate in May. (Luis Robayo/AFP/Getty Images)Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked a $1.1 billion Zika-virus funding package drafted by congressional Republicans, citing politically motivated language aimed at Planned Parenthood and environmental regulations. Senate Democrats made a last-minute attempt to salvage the legislation Tuesday morning by sending a letter to McConnell and House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) requesting that they reopen negotiations.

Source: Washington Post June 28, 2016 15:11 UTC