By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press WASHINGTON – After a three-month delay, the Senate is acting on President Barack Obama’s request for money to combat the Zika virus. The Senate is slated to vote Tuesday on three competing plans to battle the virus, with a bipartisan plan that cuts Obama’s $1.9 billion request to $1.1 billion having the greatest chance to advance. Photo courtesy of conclusion.com The procedural vote would pave the way to add funds for the government’s response to Zika to an unrelated spending bill. For pregnant women, Zika can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects, as well as eye problems, hearing defects and impaired growth. Zika is commonly spread by mosquitoes and can also be contracted through sexual contact. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant women not travel to areas with Zika and that if they [...]
