washington president barack obama thursday say time congress lay aside politics act provide additional money combat zika virus government fund dry experts cdc folks front line best make due move fund areas money need fight zika rapidly run obama say press conference pentagon warn development vaccine virus could delay congress provide money urge americans contact lawmakers pressure take issue concern threat zika cause birth defect call microcephaly mark small head size lead severe developmental problems baby rise since florida authorities last week detect first sign local transmission continental unite state zika fund remain stall six months obama ask republican-led congress approve 1.9 billion emergency fund forty-one democratic u.s. senators thursday send letter senate majority leader mitch mcconnell house representatives speaker paul ryan urge summon lawmakers back summer recess vote emergency fund fight virus ryan accuse democrats obstruct fund say obama administration fail spend exist fund prevent spread mosquito-borne virus congress interrupt recess least eight time since 1998 recently 2013 lawmakers return early debate use military force syria accord congressional record late round finger-pointing indicate little chance lawmakers would cut short seven-week summer break vote zika fund 1.1 billion compromise fail house republicans attach language would place restrictions abortion defund part obama signature 2010 healthcare law senate democrats block measure twice congress leave washington last month want republicans agree new fund measure drop provision step republicans reject need white house senate democrats drop politics put public health first hope change heart soon ryan write opinion piece usa today newspaper mcconnell spokesman stewart invite democrats allow current bill pass unanimous consent perfunctory session friday obama senate democrats urge zika fund vote reserve run low