Florida gov. cancels Zika funding pitch to Congress

Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R), who expected to make a pitch to Congress for Zika funding on Tuesday, has cancelled his trip.

In a statement Monday, the governor’s office said Scott will stay in Florida to continue monitoring response efforts to the damage caused by Hurricane Hermine, which hit Florida on Friday.

The office said Scott’s previously scheduled trip to Washington, D.C., will be rescheduled for a future date.

Lawmakers return from their seven-week summer break on Tuesday, and the government spending bill is expected to be their first priority. Democratic and GOP lawmakers have been battling for months over how much Zika funding to include.

Scott reportedly planned to get something done immediately.

“The health and safety of Florida’s families cannot be overshadowed by partisan politics,” Scott’s office wrote in a statement last month.

“I work hand in hand with our Florida Legislature to do what is best for Florida’s families and we expect the president and Congress to do the same.”