Ross Calls on House, Senate Leadership to Provide Zika Funding

Statement

U.S. Rep. Dennis A. Ross (R-FL-15), Senior Deputy Majority Whip, today made the following statement after sending a letter, along with Reps. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and David Jolly (FL-13), to House and Senate Leadership, calling for the immediate passage of Zika funding:

"Today, Florida Gov. Rick Scott confirmed the first locally-transmitted case of the Zika virus outside of South Florida in the Tampa Bay Region. It is unacceptable that Congress has the ability to provide additional funding to combat and prevent the spread of this deadly virus, yet Senate Democrats left Washington last month without providing any funding, knowing full well this problem would worsen throughout the summer months.

"I have consistently called for Congress to act to address this growing epidemic. In May, I announced my support for the president's requested $1.9 billion to combat Zika. I also supported legislation like H.R. 897, the Zika Vector Control Act, to remove duplicative regulations and help municipalities better combat mosquitoes and the spread of the virus.

"In June, I voted to provide an additional $1.1 billion to fight and prevent Zika infections. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats deliberately blocked this funding. That is why Reps. Bilirakis, Jolly and I sent a letter today to House and Senate Leadership, requesting the immediate passage of this desperately-needed funding.

"I have repeatedly called on my fellow members to put politics aside and pass funding legislation so we may quickly help those suffering from this virus, including infants and pregnant women.

"This new locally-transmitted Zika case in Pinellas County is right in District 15's backyard, and I will not stop fighting for those I was elected to help and protect. We must pass a funding package through both chambers, which provides the critical resources necessary to eliminate this growing risk."

Source