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The Senate next week will vote on three proposals for financing to combat the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which causes birth defects and which public health officials say will soon pose a major threat in the southern United States. Democrats and Republicans have been deadlocked over a request by the White House for $1.9 billion in emergency financing to combat the virus, with the Obama administration sharply criticizing Republican Congressional leaders for stalling and the lawmakers demanding that the White House better explain how it would use the money. (Herszenhorn, 5/12)

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., told reporters that she still prefers Obama's proposal but has reached agreement with Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., on the smaller measure, which is likely to be added next week to a bill funding veterans and transportation programs. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., immediately set up a floor vote on the measure for next week. (5/12)

The Senate on Thursday reached a bipartisan deal that would provide $1.1 billion in funding to fight the Zika virus, breaking a months-long standoff over how much spending is needed to address the growing public health threat. The funding package was introduced as an amendment to a spending bill that is expected to be considered next week. Senators will also have the opportunity to vote on an option that would fully fund White House’s $1.9 billion request and a separate GOP-backed proposal that would use $1.2 billion in cuts to an Affordable Care Act program to offset the cost of $1.1 billion in Zika spending. (Snell, 5/12)

Florida's senators, Democrat Bill Nelson and Republican Marco Rubio, announced a plan to provide the full $1.9 billion in funding that President Barack Obama had requested. To get the full $1.9 billion, Nelson and Rubio will introduce an amendment to a military spending bill expected to come before the full Senate as early as next week. (5/12)

In the House, GOP leaders have also said they are working on a funding package. Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) said as recently as Wednesday that he is still waiting on answers from the Obama administration about how the funding will specifically be used. (Ferris, 5/12)

If the Zika virus were to spread through the USA, it could very well start here: a busy border city where thousands of people cross each day between the U.S. and Mexico, where the mosquito that transports the virus is found in abundance, and where poorer neighborhoods could foster its spread. Zika is already spreading through Mexico, but Texas may have two big advantages over its southern neighbor: the simple window screen and an abundance of air conditioning. (Jervis, 5/12)

As if a crumbling economy and crippling debt weren’t enough to handle, Puerto Rico is also in the throes of a new looming crisis: the mosquito-borne Zika virus is gaining ground. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control predicts an astounding 20 percent of the island’s 3.5 million people will likely contract Zika this year alone. Jeffrey Brown goes to the front line of the battle against the virus. (5/12)