Dem senator wants more funds to research Lyme Disease

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) is calling for more funding to research ways to fight Lyme Disease, according to the Connecticut Post.

The Democrat is making the announcement Monday in Connecticut.

Blumenthal wants additional federal funding to develop better tools for diagnosis and reporting of the tick-borne disease, the newspaper reported.

{mosads}The disease was first discovered in Lyme, Connecticut in 1975, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s transmitted through bites from infected ticks and can be difficult to diagnose. 

Blumenthal has already reintroduced the Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Protection, Education and Research Act, which is intended to increase awareness and education in the medical community.

Last year, Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) secured $23 million for Lyme Disease research grants.

This comes as Senate Democrats are expected to block GOP spending bills that are based on sequestration budget ceilings whose limits, they say, are too low for next year.