Federal funding for Miami and Flint comes amid locals’ criticism
The ‘hurry up and wait’ has taken a toll on residents of south Florida and Michigan. Public health crises in those cities have doctors and advocates caught in the political crossfire.
Much of the condemnation comes from public health leaders. They have been working to stem the spread of Zika in greater Miami, while officials in and around Flint, Michigan, have tried to help that city’s residents with their lead-tainted water.
On Wednesday night—233 days after President Barack Obama requested $1.8 billion in funding to fight Zika—Congress approved legislation that includes some $1.1 billion to help Miami manage the spread of the mosquito-borne virus. Many members of Congress patted themselves on the back for the bill’s passage, which will avert a shutdown of the federal government during an election season.
Fox News reported:
Behind-the-scenes maneuvering and campaign-season gamesmanship between Republicans and Democrats had slowed efforts to pass the temporary spending measure, once among the most routine of Capitol Hill’s annual activities.
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