Now that Congress is back in session after the summer recess, high on the list of priorities is earmarking funds to combat the Zika virus, which causes illness and devastating birth defects when pregnant women are infected. Sadly, the issue has become something of a political tennis ball, with the Republicans offering the much-needed money only if Planned Parenthood doesn’t get any of it.
Outraged Democrats rejected that offer, stating that because Zika can be sexually transmitted it is unfair to withhold money to an organization who could use it to really help stop the virus’ transmission.
Enter David Jolly. Jolly is a GOP Congressman from Florida who is sick of his constituents being denied the help they need. And he took to the floor today with a prop to emphasize his point.
That’s right, Jolly is holding a jar of mosquitos.
“Mr. Speaker, it is time to act. The politics of Zika have gone on far too long. The politics of Zika are wrong.”
And although the jar was being used as a prop, Representative Jolly brought it to make a very serious point.
“I brought these mosquitoes today to convey that fear and that anxiety of millions of Americans, of Floridians. Can you imagine the fear and anxiety in this chamber if these mosquitoes were outside this jar, not inside this jar? Members of Congress would run down the hall to the physician’s office to be tested. They would spray themselves before coming down here. This is the fear of Floridians! Right here!”
On Tuesday the Republican-controlled Senate failed to pass bills that help to combat the virus. Each party blamed the other for the lack of progress. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said that:
“Republicans were more interested in attacking Planned Parenthood and flying the Confederate flag — can’t make this stuff up, that’s really the truth — than protecting women and babies from this awful virus.”
And still, nothing has been done.
Feature image via Youtube screengrab
