The House agreed to hold a conference with the Senate to address the wide gap in funding for the Zika virus, but any deal won’t be made until Congress returns from its recess.
Lawmakers agreed via a voice vote to head to conference over the funding, as Democrats have complained that Republicans haven’t moved fast enough to approve funding on the issue.
The House last week passed a $622 million funding package that is offset from other programs. Meanwhile, the Senate passed $1.1 billion in new funding.
Both amounts are below the $1.9 billion President Obama requested in February. Democrats and some Republicans are upset the GOP-led Congress isn’t taking up the $1.9 billion request.
On Thursday, a group of Senate and House Democrats called on Republicans to cancel their upcoming Memorial Day recess because of the need to finish up Zika funding and other priorities.
“Republicans are leaving Washington, without having completed any of the urgent business before Congress,” said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
Congress finishes work on Thursday and then is in recess until Tuesday, June 7.
