Lowey statement on Administration's actions on Zika

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement in response to the Administration’s efforts to halt the spread of the Zika virus domestically and internationally:

“It is inexcusable that the Republican majority’s failure to consider emergency supplemental funding to respond to the Zika virus, forced the Administration to redirect funding that is still needed to monitor and respond to the potential re-emergence of the deadly Ebola virus in West Africa, where nearly 1,000 cases remain under observation.  We do not have the luxury of fighting either Ebola or Zika – we must meet both challenges. 

“Furthermore, redirecting Ebola funding to Zika efforts is a temporary band-aid, but not nearly enough to support a Zika response on the scale of what is needed to research and develop diagnostic testing and vaccines, fortify domestic and international public health systems, surveil and control mosquitoes, educate health care providers, and much more.

“I call on the majority to consider the Administration’s supplemental funding request immediately, in order to both bolster our response to Zika and to replenish funds redirected from Ebola accounts.”