Gov. Rick Scott will remain in Florida this week to monitor the continuing cleanup from Hurricane Hermine, postponing a trip to Washington D.C. that had been planned to discuss federal funding to help fight the Zika virus.
The governor’s office announced Monday that the travel plans will be rescheduled at a later date. Scott had intended to meet with members of Congress, who return this week from a seven-week recess.
President Barack Obama earlier this year proposed spending $1.9 billion to address the mosquito-borne virus, but Congress could not agree on funding or the contents of the spending bill.
Hermine made landfall early Friday in Wakulla County, south of Tallahassee, and caused widespread power outages. Scott said Monday night that 21,000 families and businesses remained without power in Tallahassee, the most heavily populated area in the storm’s path.