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LIVE RESULTS: How Florida is voting for president, U.S. Senate and House races, and constitutional amendments

Rep. Jolly Holds Mosquitoes During Zika Funding Speech

Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla. holds a container of mosquitoes while speaking of the House floor on Capitol Hill in Washington.
CSPAN
Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla. holds a container of mosquitoes while speaking of the House floor on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Most people are trying to avoid Florida mosquitoes, blamed for dozens of cases of theZikavirus.

But Republican Congressman David Jolly decided to make a point today by bringing a container of them to the House floor.

He delivered a short, angry speech condemning Congress for failing to pass legislation providing $1.1 billion to fight the virus. The bill is stalled in the Senate, where Democrats are blocking it in a dispute over restrictions on Planned Parenthood.

The Florida lawmaker said, "The politics of Zika are garbage right now."

He was holding a closed, clear container of mosquitoes -- the type that carry the Zika virus. His office said they are still in the larvae stage but are expected to hatch today.

Jolly said the mosquitoes in the container are free of the virus, but taunted his fellow lawmakers about what they would do if they were released. He said his colleagues would feel the same fear that is felt now by people in Florida.

Copyright 2016 Health News Florida

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