Senate Passes Empty ‘Shell Bill’ Aimed At Advancing Talks On Government Funding, Including Zika Response Spending
POLITICO: Is Zika deal finally here?
“…The tentative funding on Zika virus is tucked within the larger continuing resolution that Congress is still hammering out. That short-term spending measure must pass in order to keep the government running until December 9. … Language in the emerging deal does not specify which providers are eligible or ineligible for funding, skirting a political landmine that has delayed Zika aid for months. Lawmakers are still hashing out how to pay for the $1.1 billion Zika aid package…” (Diamond, 9/20).
USA TODAY: Senate votes to advance empty bill to keep government funding on track
“Senators voted Tuesday evening to advance a bill to prevent an Oct. 1 government shutdown and combat the Zika virus, but the ‘shell bill’ provides no actual details of the agreement, which still must be written. The bill will serve as a vehicle for a deal that senators are continuing to negotiate. Senators voted 89-7 to approve the procedural move, which leaders hope will speed up the process for a final agreement…” (Kelly, 9/20).
The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.