Gov. Rick Scott presses government for Zika money, blasts Democrats

Scott says Sen. Bill Nelson 'turned his back on Floridians'

WASHINGTON – Gov. Rick Scott is using his trip to Washington, D.C., to press for long-overdue money to fight the Zika virus, firing shots along the way at the Obama administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

Scott made his trip as federal lawmakers struggle to reach a bipartisan deal to fund the government's months-long battle against Zika, which is a major hang-up for a temporary spending bill that's the top item on the Capitol Hill agenda and must be completed before lawmakers head home to campaign.

Scott met Wednesday with members of the South Florida congressional delegation to discuss their efforts to eradicate the virus.

"The South Florida congressional delegation remains united in demanding that both the House and Senate put politics aside and do their jobs by passing a comprehensive funding bill that will provide our community with the tools it needs to stop and eradicate the Zika virus once and for all," U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) said. "In our meeting with Governor Scott, I stressed the importance of accurate, transparent and timely communications from FDOH (Florida Department of Health) about the Zika threat in our community so that residents and visitors alike can make informed decisions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe."

U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) was among the politicians who met with Scott. She called the meeting "good" and "productive."

"It is gratifying to know that we are on the same page about the urgent nature of the Zika outbreak in our state and its impact on both public health and Florida’s economy," Wilson said. "We also are in complete agreement about the need for Congress to pass a clean bill as quickly as possible. We need a bill without any policy riders or poison pills. That's all we’re asking for and that's all Governor Scott is asking for."

But Scott is not claiming to be on the same page with Nelson, saying that the Democratic senator "turned his back on Floridians" by supporting a filibuster over a GOP-drafted provision to block Planned Parenthood clinics from receiving anti-Zika funding in Puerto Rico.

He also said the Obama administration "has not been a good partner."


About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.