Senate Democrats urge immediate action on Zika virus

Senate Democrats urge action against Zika virus.

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published 5 February 2016

After the criticism the Obama administration faced for its Ebola response last year, Senate Democrats are urging President Obama to develop a response plan to Zika virus sooner rather than later. The New York Times reports that over three dozen Senate Democrats have sent Obama a letter urging him "to develop a coordinated interagency response plan to address the spread of the Zika virus both at home and abroad, and protect pregnant women and children." The letter calls for action "at all levels of government" to "enhance efforts to control breakouts," and asks Obama to make a budget request for resources to confront the mosquito-borne virus.

The Senate Democrats' push for quick, comprehensive action follows criticism — primarily from Congressional Republicans — of the Obama administration's "disorganized" response to the Ebola pandemic last year, which was thought to be a contributing factor in Democrats' losses in last year's midterm elections.