Republicans urge Obama to use Ebola funds to fight Zika

WASHINGTON (AP) — Top House Republicans said Thursday that the fastest way for President Barack Obama to obtain money to combat the spread of the Zika virus is to tap leftover funding from the 2014 battle against Ebola.

The White House responded later Thursday with a statement saying that when it submits its Zika request in coming days, it will also seek the flexibility to use leftover Ebola fuinds to combat Zika and other infectious diseases.

The letter from Appropriations Chairman Rogers identified $2.7 billion in "unobligated" Ebola funds at HHS, the State Department and in foreign aid accounts.