Murray to GOP: It’s Time for Action on Zika Virus

As Senate recesses without moving emergency funding for Zika response, Murray continues push for resources to fight virus

(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 on the urgent need for emergency supplemental funding to prevent and treat the Zika virus at home and abroad, after Republicans objected on the Senate floor to the President’s $1.9 billion emergency supplemental proposal to support Zika response efforts.

“There is lot we still don’t know about the Zika virus—but what we do know makes clear that we can’t wait to act. I’m deeply disappointed that Republicans continue to delay in the face of a truly urgent public health threat to women and families across the country. With mosquito season on its way, we need to ramp up efforts to prevent and treat this frightening virus, and I’m going to continue pushing Republicans to come to the table and work with Democrats to get this done. The families and communities we represent can’t afford to wait—and they shouldn’t have to.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are currently more than 1000 cases of Zika in the United States and the three territories, including two confirmed cases in Washington state.