Congressman calls for Zika virus funding

36th District Rep. Dr. Raul Ruiz(D) talks with News Channel 3’s John White about the need for federal funding to fight the Zika Virus.

This week, the Congressman authored a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan asking for a vote on $1.9 billion in funding to be used for vaccine research, public education, and other initiatives to help control the virus.

The letter was signed by 61 of his colleagues on Capitol Hill.

There have been 153 travel associated Zika cases reported in the United States.

Zika virus has been linked to a serious birth defect in newborns.