WASHINGTON — Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) introduced legislation Tuesday to swiftly provide federal funding to combat an emerging infectious disease threat, that of the Zika virus. 

Johnson’s bill would provide flexibility to use existing, unused funds that had been set aside for combating the largely controlled Ebola outbreak of 2014.  The legislation lifts restrictions on the funds to allow it to be spent for response and preparedness related to the Zika virus, which may pose dire risks to unborn children during pregnancy. Johnson’s bill is a companion to one introduced in the House of Representatives. 

Johnson said this about the bill: 

“We need to be prepared for emerging diseases that could prove devastating. The swiftest way of funding necessary steps is to broaden the uses permitted for unspent funds reserved for an outbreak that has generally been contained in the United States.  Preventing pandemics is crucial to protecting the security of America, the mission of my committee and something we can all agree on.” 

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