The U.S. Senate has passed a bill that includes funding for efforts to combat the Zika virus.
Originally, Senate Democrats had blocked the bill from moving forward Tuesday because it did not include help for those affected by the water crisis in Flint, Michigan.
But, Wednesday, after top Congressional leaders promised there would be money for Flint after the election, the funding bill had enough votes to pass. The House is expected to okay that funding Wednesday as well.
The bill is a temporary measure to avoid a government shutdown. It includes $1.1 billion for anti-Zika efforts. It also includes $15 million for states that have locally contracted cases of the mosquito-borne disease. So far, that’s only in Florida.
With six new cases reported Wednesday, the state has 115 non-travel related cases.
For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner .
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