After Months of Pleas From Experts and Florida Leaders, Congress Passes Bill for Zika Funding

Statement

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement and timeline relating to misplaced congressional priorities that led to the substantial delay in providing an emergency response to the Zika virus. The U.S. Congress finally passed $1.1 billion in emergency funding late last night, more than seven months after action was requested by President Obama.

"The seven-month delay in passing a Zika emergency response bill for research, testing and education highlights the misplaced priorities of a Congress that refuses to address issues of importance to American families. The special interests still have too much influence in Washington, D.C. During the past six months, I have witnessed numerous bills come to floor to benefit wealthy special interests, while issues relating to everyday working Americans go unaddressed. Despite many calls for action to address the high cost of pharmaceuticals, attempts to address special interest money in politics, "No Fly No Buy' to keep terrorists from buying weapons, and sick leave or caregiver leave policies for the modern workplace, Congress continues to respond to wealthy special interests instead. Citizens will have an opportunity to weigh in on these misplaced priorities this November at the ballot box and I hope they send a message of reform and action to serve all Americans and not just the wealthy few.

"As you can see from the timeline below, it was February when President Obama and I called for Congressional action to head off this public health emergency. For more than seven months, as it grew into a public health emergency and Zika virus infections in Florida increased, Republican leadership stalled consideration. The bipartisan pleas of my congressional colleagues in Florida were ignored, as well as the pleas of national experts and most importantly, my neighbors.

"My colleagues and I were elected to the People's House to represent the best interest of our constituents not the wealthy few. Nothing should stand in the way of a timely response to address threats to our health, security and economy."

Source