Cornyn Introduces Legislation to Provide Funding, Resources to Combat Zika Virus

Press Release

Today U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after introducing legislation with Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) allocating $1.1 billion in new federal funding, paid for through corresponding spending cuts, to the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of State to combat the growing threat posed by the Zika virus in Texas and across the country:

"This legislation will give health professionals the resources they need to help protect Texans against the spread of the Zika virus without adding to the debt," Sen. Cornyn said. "We must give those on the ground the tools they need to proactively address this threat, and I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will support this commonsense, fiscally-responsible approach towards averting a potential health crisis."

Sen. Cornyn's legislation:

Appropriates $1.1 billion in supplemental funding to the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of State;
Offsets by cutting $1.2 billion from the Affordable Care Act's FY 2017 and FY 2018 Prevention and Public Health Fund;
Includes a provision that would waive the Clean Water Act permit requirement so state and local authorities can more efficiently spray to protect against mosquitos year-round.

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