Senate Democrats Put Partisan Politics Over Women’s Health, Nation’s Veterans
‘Democrats will hear from constituents back home who want to know what they’re doing to keep them safe from the threat of Zika and what they're doing to support our veterans. Democrats will have to explain why they chose not to do their job and instead blocked funding for the Zika crisis and our nation’s heroes.’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding Senate Democrats voting to block important bipartisan funding measures to address Zika and support veterans:
“Let me read you some headlines, ‘Senate Democrats block Zika agreement ahead of recess,’ ‘Senate Dems Block House Zika Funding.’ And here’s what that last article goes on to say, ‘Senate Democrats…blocked a critical funding measure needed to combat the spreading Zika virus, a move that will now make it impossible for Congress to send legislation to President Obama before July 4.’
“Democrats are working hard to spin this, but families don’t want excuses, they want action.
“Yesterday, Senate Democrats listened to the demands of a partisan special interest group and turned their backs on women's health and fighting Zika.
“First, they demanded congressional action on Zika. Then, in the midst of mosquito season, Democrats chose partisan politics over $1.1 billion in critical funds to protect pregnant women and babies from Zika — after Democrats voted for the same $1.1 billion level of funding last month.
“Yesterday, Senate Democrats listened to the demands of a partisan special interest group and turned their backs on supporting our veterans.
“First, they demanded more funding for veterans. Then, just before the Fourth of July, Democrats chose partisan politics over significantly increasing resources for veterans’ health care.
“In the coming days Democrats will hear from constituents back home who want to know what they’re doing to keep them safe from the threat of Zika and what they're doing to support our veterans. Democrats will have to explain why they chose not to do their job and instead blocked funding for the Zika crisis and our nation’s heroes.
“I’ve moved to reconsider the legislation, and we’ll give them a chance to get this right for the American people after the Fourth of July.”
Related Issues: Zika Virus, Appropriations, Senate Democrats, Health Care, Veterans
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