TALLAHASSEE, Fla. _ Still steaming over the lack of action by the federal government to combat the Zika virus, Florida 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 to waste."
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 in February but no bill has made it to his desk.
Republicans eventually settled on a $1.1 billion package for Zika. But Democrats balked because it included provisions to eliminate funds for Planned Parenthood and to allow the Confederate flag to be flown at veterans cemeteries.
In lieu of new funds, Obama in April directed $510 million in unspent funds originally slated to fight an Ebola outbreak. In August, another $81 million was pledged for Zika research, but federal health officials say more funds are needed.
Scott, a Republican, has grown increasingly frustrated over the Zika gridlock. The $25 million pledge comes on top of the $36.2 million he's already devoted to mosquito-control measures and Zika-testing kits. He penned an op-ed in USA Today on Thursday, blasting Obama and Congress for not doing more to fight Zika.
Meanwhile, more cases of the virus continue to pop up in Florida. Another five travel-related cases were confirmed Thursday, according to the Florida Department of Health. 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 caught by pregnant women it can lead to microcephaly in infants, a condition causing abnormally small heads and developmental disabilities.
"Every action we take against the Zika virus is to help protect pregnant women and keep their developing babies healthy," Scott said.
