Murray: On Zika, Republicans Double Down on Politics and Head Out of Town

Murray: This Republican-controlled Congress needs to do its job and protect women and families from Zika

(Washington, D.C.) –Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate Labor, Health, and Human Services appropriations subcommittee, issued the following statement after Republicans once again forced a revote on a failed, partisan Zika proposal before heading out of town.

“When it comes to a public health emergency like the Zika virus, women and families deserve action from this Republican controlled-Congress—but instead, all they are getting partisanship and gridlock.

“It’s been more than five months since President Obama put forward his proposal to combat Zika, and more than two months since the Senate passed a strong, bipartisan downpayment on that proposal—but instead of staying the bipartisan course, Republicans have unfortunately chosen to put their ideological battles against Planned Parenthood and women’s health providers ahead of the health needs of women and children nationwide.

“Forcing yet another vote on a failed, partisan Zika bill may make the Tea Party happy, but it doesn’t help women and families. I’m going to keep pushing Republicans to set aside the politics, do their jobs, and work with us to protect families from this frightening virus.”