“Senate Democrats have chosen to stall Zika funding until they can insert an earmark for a far-left special interest group.”

WASHINGTON — Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, issued the following statement after Senate Democrats blocked essential funding for veterans benefits and combating the Zika virus.

“At a time when the Zika virus is posing a significant public health threat to an increasing number of Americans, especially would-be mothers, Senate Democrats have chosen to stall Zika funding until they can insert an earmark for a far-left special interest group. They are even willing to hold up benefits for our nation’s veterans in the process,” said Thune.

Senate Democrats stopped the bicameral agreement to provide Zika funding from moving forward shortly after filibustering a must-pass bill that allocates funds for the Department of Defense necessary for the fight against ISIS.

Thune said: “It’s incredible that Democrats blocked funding for Zika and veterans just hours after keeping our troops from getting the funding they need to defeat ISIS. Senate Democrats have shown they are willing to put politics above the health and safety of their constituents. Their politically motivated attempt to stop progress in the Republican-led Senate is transparent, ill-advised, and dangerous.”

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