Partisan bickering, rage over lack of Zika funding lands on social media
A Florida congressman’s mosquito-filled jar garnered attention on Twitter and YouTube. In Miami, residents protested to prevent aerial spraying of a controversial pesticide.
The visual was effective, as Jolly’s impassioned plea to his colleagues quickly hit social media. However, Congress failed to pass a $1.1 billion bill Tuesday night to fund Zika prevention and research. Jolly’s PR tactic was posted on YouTube, and Fox News anchor Bret Baier shared it on Facebook. The comments following the post blamed partisan politics for the bill’s defeat:
“The time for the politics of Zika is over. The politics of Zika are garbage right now,” Jolly exclaimed, as reported by ABC News. Jolly imagined losing the mosquitoes in the House chamber. “Members of Congress would run down the hall to the physician’s office to be tested,” Jolly said, reports ABC News.
Opposition to the bill doesn’t appear rooted in Zika itself, but in two divisive issues included in the measure: Defunding Planned Parenthood and permitting the Confederate flag to be flown at military cemeteries.
Folks on Twitter posted their frustration with the “bundled” bill:
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today
Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.
