Gov. Scott blasts Congress, pumps $25 million more into Zika fight

TALLAHASSEE — Still steaming over the lack of action by the federal government to combat the Zika virus, Gov. Rick Scott announced Thursday he’ll authorize $25 million in state funds to be spent on research for a vaccine.

“Every minute that passes that Congress doesn’t approve funding means more time is lost from researching this virus,” Scott said in a released statement. “For the sake of our state’s future children, this is time we cannot afford towaste.”

Scott traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to press Congressional leaders to pass a Zika funding measure.

President Barack Obama sent a $1.9 billion package to Congress inFebruary but no bill has made it to his desk.

Republicans eventually settled billion package for Zika.

However, Democrats balked because it included provisions to eliminate funds for Planned Parenthood and allowthe Confederate flag to be flown at veterans’ cemeteries.

Scott has grown increasingly over the Zika gridlock.

The $25 million pledge comes on top of the $36.2 million in he has already devoted to mosquito control measuresandZika testing kits.

He penned an editorial piece in USA Today on Thursday, blasting Obama and on $1.1 frustrated Congress for not doing more to fight Zika.

Meanwhile, more cases of the virus continue to pop up in Florida. A

nother five travel-related caseswere confirmed Thursday, according to the Florida Department ofHealth.

That brings the total number of cases found in the state since the start of the year to 874.

Zika first began to spread rapidly in Brazil last year. The virus causes fever and joint aches, but when contracted by pregnant women it can lead to serious birth defects in infants.

“Every action we take against the Zika virus is to help protect pregnant women and keep their developing babies healthy,” Scott said.