Sorry, America. We Could Have Had Zika Funding but GOP Insisted on Trying to Kill Planned Parenthood
Also, Fighting for Confederate Flags at Veterans’ Cemeteries…
The U.S. Senate returned from the longest recess in modern times Tuesday and proceeded to once again defeat $1.1 billion in funding to fight the Zika virus because Republicans insisted on attaching language to try to defund Planned Parenthood and – get this – ensure the Confederate flag could be flown at veterans’ cemeteries.
Of course, what could be more germane to Zika debate than provision authorizing Confederate flags at Vet cemeteries? https://t.co/deVedqVsWc
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) September 6, 2016
Republicans won’t fund Zika efforts unless they can stick it to women and blacks. The Confederate flag? Really? https://t.co/w3bSZ4GEwD
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) September 6, 2016
Senate Democrats refused to allow cuts to Planned Parenthood – something President Obama has also made clear he would veto – and so, for the third time this year, the Zika funding bill went up in smoke.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid accused Republicans of trying to include “strange, weird stuff,” like the confederate flag and Planned Parenthood cuts.
“Earlier this year, Democrats tried in vain to bring Republicans to the realization that Zika was imperiling the health of all, but especially women of child-bearing age,â€Â Reid said, according to The Huffington Post. “Republicans were more interested in attacking Planned Parenthood and flying the Confederate flag ― can’t make that stuff up; that’s really the truth ― than protecting women and babies from this awful virus.â€Â Reid added.
President Obama had asked for $1.9 billion in funding to fight Zika, according to The Hill.Â
House Speaker Paul Ryan went the partisan route, attacking Democrats for not rubber stamping his attempt to kill Planned Parenthood:
Enough is enough. RT if you think Senate #Democrats should stop politicizing the #Zika crisis. https://t.co/xMfJnxd3eS
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) September 6, 2016
Ryan received pushback:
@SpeakerRyan Your bill is loaded with poison pills. What does #Zika have to do with veteran funding, clean water? pic.twitter.com/A5q3jVQsqN
— meta (@metaquest) September 6, 2016
@SpeakerRyan CNN tweeted that u put in provisions for defunding PP and something to do with the Confederate Flag! Let Zika bill stand alone!
— Belinda Baumgartner (@BelleDesigns4u) September 6, 2016
“if we give you the money we get to have the Confederate Flag in veteran cemeteries!”..smdh… #WhitePeoplehttps://t.co/AgztKmvB68
— Dannon West (@YoungDwest) September 6, 2016
@SpeakerRyan I think the GOP should stop trying to defund @PPact especially during a crisis involving a sexually transmissible disease
— Kim with a K (@kimwithak) September 6, 2016
@SpeakerRyan Fake outrage doesn’t become you. You could cut a deal, but you see more profit in not cutting a deal and blaming Democrats.
— Admiral Unadmirable (@chaircrusher) September 6, 2016
1.) Shut up about the other house.
2.) Asking for a clean bill is not politicizing.— Mr. Brown (@Cdbrow1) September 6, 2016
Not all Republicans believe the Planned Parenthood and Confederate flag language is necessary:
Sen. Susan Collins says Republicans should drop Planned Parenthood language from the Zika funding bill.
— Sabrina Siddiqui (@SabrinaSiddiqui) September 6, 2016
Rubio says the “ideal way forward” on Zika funding is for the House to pass the bipartisan Senate bill ($1.1 bn w/o riders).
— Sabrina Siddiqui (@SabrinaSiddiqui) September 6, 2016
Far right extremist websites are blaming Democrats, with titles like, “Democrats Vote Again Against Funding to Combat Zika Virus Because Bill Didn’t Promote Abortion.”Â
UPDATE:Â ‘People Are Scared’: Congressman Urging Zika Funding Brings Jar of 100 Mosquitoes Onto House Floor
Â
Image via Facebook

Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |