May 18, 2016 
Contact: Kyle Roerink
Phone: (202) 657-3219

Rep. Titus on House GOP’s Shortchanging of Zika Funding

Las Vegas – Tonight Representative Dina Titus of Nevada’s First Congressional District voted against the inadequate H.R. 5243, legislation that will provide funds to fight the Zika virus. The legislation comes three months after the Obama administration and House Democrats first called on GOP leadership to act and will only provide one-third of what President Obama and health experts deem as adequate for combating the virus. The funds will come from money originally slated for treating the Ebola virus. Lawmakers passed the bill by a 241-184 vote.

“While I am glad that we are now moving to combat the Zika virus, the Republican proposals are insufficient,” Rep. Titus said. “Shortchanging the Obama administration’s requested funding by $1.3 billion threatens our ability to fully address the issue and using Ebola money to pay for Zika merely robs Peter to pay Paul. I can appreciate this first step, but we must continue to bolster our efforts to protect Americans from the Zika virus.”

Background

As of May 11, 2016, there were more than 1,200 confirmed Zika cases in the continental United States and U.S. Territories, including over 110 pregnant women with confirmed cases of the Zika virus, according to the Obama Administration. Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently concluded that the Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects.  In addition, researchers are investigating an association between the Zika virus and Guillain-Barré syndrome, neurological disorders, and other adverse health outcomes. At least three cases have been reported in Clark County.