Sen. Marco Rubio is pushing a stopgap spending bill that would drop GOP-approved anti-Planned Parenthood measures in exchange for funds to fight the deadly Zika virus.
"The easiest way to get this paid for is to make it part of whatever we use to keep the government open for the rest of the year," the Florida Republican told The Hill. "My interest is getting the funding, so if that's the fastest way to get the funding, I support it."
On Tuesday, the Senate failed for the third time to move on a major Zika funding package for Florida, parts of which have been devastated by the mosquito-borne illness.
Rubio's plan would force Republicans to eliminate several controversial add-ons including those attacking Planned Parenthood funding.
The Hill says that otherwise, Democrats will block the bill and "accuse Republicans of trying to shut down the government over the women's health provider — and just weeks before Election Day."
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