CQ News: Zika Bill Could Dovetail With Broader Research Initiative
“Legislation that aims to speed the development and approval of a Zika virus vaccine could dovetail with ongoing efforts to spur biomedical innovation, according to the chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., indicated Wednesday that a measure (S 2512) to make Zika vaccines eligible for priority reviews will be considered next month, when the panel marks up a slate of other bills intended to serve as a companion to House-passed 21st Century Cures legislation (HR 6)…” (Zanona, 2/24).

CQ HealthBeat: Pressing for Zika Response Funding; Senate Votes on FDA Nomination
“…The administration issued its formal $1.9 billion supplemental fiscal 2016 funding request on Monday. … The supplemental spending bill, despite GOP suggestions urging a reprogramming of existing funds tagged for the earlier Ebola virus response, will likely gain congressional approval. House Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer suggested to reporters on Tuesday that Zika response funding could be combined with other emergency funding to address a water crisis in Flint, Michigan, and fiscal concerns of Puerto Rico. An advancing omnibus-style emergency bill could also attract a range of other pressing topics…” (Jenks, 2/24).