Byrne Acts to Protect Alabamians from the Zika Virus

Press Release

Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) voted yesterday in favor of legislation to provide funding for combatting the Zika virus.

The House bill provides $622 million in new funding to address the Zika virus. The funding is offset by leftover money from the Ebola virus response and the transfer of funds from the Department of Health and Human Services Non-Reoccurring Expense Fund. The new funding is on top of the $589 million that has already been repurposed from the Ebola fund.

Byrne said: "Being from the Gulf Coast, my district is particularly vulnerable to a potential outbreak of the Zika virus, so I believe it is important Congress address this issue. That is exactly what the House has done while also ensuring fiscal responsibility.

"All told, the House will have provided $1.2 billion to combat the Zika virus and put important prevention programs in place. Instead of trying to score political points through scare tactics, President Obama should call on the Senate to support our legislation so these important funds can start being used."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Zika virus "is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito." People rarely die from the Zika virus, but studies have shown that the virus causes serious birth defects. The Aedes species mosquito is found in Alabama's coastal counties.

The legislation passed by a vote of 241 to 184.

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