Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016

Floor Speech

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Ms. HIRONO. Madam President, I rise to join my colleagues in raising awareness about the Zika virus and the need to pass the President's emergency appropriations request to get ahead of this crisis in the making.

Some question the need for this emergency appropriations request. Perhaps those who believe that funding the President's request is a waste feel that we are not at immediate risk, but you have heard my other colleagues talking about how this is an impending crisis. While Zika may not seem like a threat in the United States now because we have not hit peak mosquito season, this head-in-sand mentality is irresponsible. Zika is ravaging South America, which is having its summer right now. Zika is on the move. The mosquito that is the main Zika carrier is already in 13 States, and another mosquito also capable of spreading the Zika virus is in 30 States. As families travel this summer, they will be moving in and out of States and countries impacted by Zika.

To my colleagues who aren't worried about the spread of Zika right now, it is time for all of us to wake up. With summer comes mosquitoes--including, of course, the mosquito that carries Zika. We must do all we can to ensure that Zika does not gain a foothold in the United States. Let's act, not react, to this Zika threat. This means funding the President's $1.9 billion request for Zika.

Hawaii knows firsthand the impact of vector-borne diseases such as Zika and of the resources and effort it takes to contain an outbreak. Seven Hawaii residents have already been diagnosed with Zika. One infant born to a mother with Zika has been diagnosed with microcephaly, a devastating birth defect.

On top of that, Hawaii has been dealing with an outbreak of dengue fever, which is spread by the same mosquito that carries Zika. The dengue outbreak in Hawaii began in September, and only yesterday were we able to go 30 days without a new dengue case.

The unique location of Hawaii means it serves as transit location for many Pacific Island nations where Zika outbreaks have occurred in the recent past, places such as Yap and French Polynesia. We know that this disease can migrate and that it can migrate quickly. That is why we have to get ahead of it.

Having the administration shift Ebola funding around is not the answer. That is akin to robbing Peter to pay Paul. What will we do if Ebola has a resurgence this summer--shift money back from Zika?

The United States is in a strong position, compared to many other countries, to fight Zika. We have indevelopment vaccines, blood screenings, cleaning tools, and research that will be game changers.

When the President sent his $1.9 billion request to Congress, he laid out how the funding would be spent or used. It would go toward vector control, public education campaigns, and vaccine development. It would go toward the work of companies such as Hawaii Biotech, which is racing to complete work on a vaccine.

We must fund the emergency request so Federal agencies that stand on the battle lines of combating disease can do their work. We must also strengthen vector control programs and emergency preparedness programs. It is imperative that we give our communities the tools they need to fight Zika. Time is still on our side right now, but time is running out and we must act quickly. Let's come together to ensure that Zika does not become a full-blown public health emergency in the United States. Let's fund the President's request.

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