Wasserman Schultz, Sen. Nelson, FL Democrats Send Letter to HHS Secretary on Zika Vaccine Funding

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (FL), and U.S. Reps. Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Patrick Murphy (FL-18), Ted Deutch (FL-22), Gwen Graham (FL-02, and Alan Grayson (FL-09) issued the following release after sending a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell today regarding Zika vaccine funding:

"With 16 cases of locally transmitted Zika, Republican leadership still refuses to act on legislation that would secure more funding for vaccine research, mosquito control, and treatment of the virus. Our public health agencies have nearly exhausted the resources they have to combat Zika, but the need for sustained, reliable funding for vaccine research remains. Make no mistake -- a vaccine is the only permanent way to protect our citizens and we cannot let inadequate resources or partisan politics stymie its development. I urge Secretary Burwell to take any and all actions needed to secure this lifesaving funding," said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23).

"The Zika virus continues to threaten our community having already hit South Florida 15 times, and there are no signs of it slowing down. The inability of Republicans in Congress to take the threat of Zika seriously is as disturbing as it is reckless, and it is far past time that they show true leadership and help us ensure that President Obama's Zika appropriations request is fully funded. Those of us in South Florida know full well the true nature of the threat Zika poses, and we continue to stand ready to help pass this much needed funding,"said Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20).

"Unfortunately, most of the reported Zika virus transmissions in our state have occurred in District 24, which I represent. I'm especially worried about further transmissions as we struggle to educate residents about how to protect themselves, a challenge that is exacerbated by the fact that scientists still have so much to learn about this growing epidemic. I have spent much of the past 2 weeks doing all that I can to raise awareness among my constituents, including distributing fliers and insect repellent, but so much more must be done," said Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson. "It is essential that Congress and HHS do everything possible to provide the resources necessary to develop a vaccine and other strategies to fight the spread of Zika. To do otherwise would be both irresponsible and indefensible," said Rep. Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).

"For six months, Congress has failed to act on critical emergency funding to fight Zika that would make much needed investments to develop a Zika vaccine. While I continue to call for Congress to return and immediately act on this legislation, we cannot allow for ongoing efforts to suffer due to lack of resources," said Rep. Murphy. "With cases of Zika continuing to be reported, we must reallocate funding to prioritize Zika research to protect public health."

"Every day that Speaker Ryan refuses to reconvene the House for a special session, Floridians, and in particular pregnant women, become more at-risk," said Rep. Deutch. "We need action now, and my Florida colleagues and I are ready to do our job and return to Washington to keep Floridians and all Americans safe."

"By ignoring the president's request for full funding to fight the Zika virus, Republicans in Congress are forcing the National Institutes of Health to choose between existing lifesaving research and combating this urgent threat. This year, the NIH is funding more than $20 million in research at FSU and FAMU. It's shameful we may have to ask Florida universities to suspend their research, because Congress won't pass the full funding necessary to address the Zika emergency," said Rep. Gwen Graham (FL-02).