WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Amid reports of the spread of the Zika virus in Miami Beach, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has called on Congress to return from recess to pass legislation providing funding to fight the virus.
Reid released a statement Friday accusing Republican lawmakers of playing politics in the face of a mounting crisis.
'The spread of Zika is distressing, but it is not surprising,' Reid said. 'Public health officials warned this would happen and that's why Democrats demanded action months ago.'
He added, 'But Republicans have irresponsibly decided that taking the longest summer vacation in 60 years is more important than a bipartisan response to Zika.'
Reid claimed the public health crisis will only get worse if Republicans continue to refuse to work with Democrats on a bipartisan bill.
A bill to provide $1.1 billion to fight the Zika virus failed to clear the Senate earlier this summer due to Democratic opposition related to the inclusion of so-called 'poison pills.'
Reid accused Republicans of providing a goody bag for the fringes of the GOP despite the threat posed by the Zika virus.
According to Politico, some Florida Republicans are also pressuring their leaders to reach an agreement on a Zika funding bill, no matter what it takes.
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