WASHINGTON, D.C.– Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today after the recent outbreak of Zika virus in Florida.
“With Florida linking an outbreak of Zika infections to local mosquito transmission, it is clear that Zika is a serious and rising health threat to our nation. Pregnant women should never have to live in fear that their unborn children are at grave risk because of inaction by Congress to address a largely preventable health crisis. Perhaps just as horrifying is that most cases are asymptomatic, meaning that individuals could be at risk of spreading Zika while not even knowing it.”
“We’ve seen the devastation Zika has caused in South and Central America, as well as our own U.S. territories, and the fact that our elected officials have not heeded experts’ warnings is a travesty. House Republicans’ decision to recess for summer without passing this crucial legislation is inexcusable. It’s time for Speaker Ryan to immediately reconvene Congress and pass President Obama’s full emergency funding request to protect expectant parents and their children from Zika virus.”
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