Chronic Wasting Disease

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight a fatal disorder that has been impacting deer populations in 24 States, including Pennsylvania, chronic wasting disease.

Chronic wasting disease is progressive and always fatal. Deer, elk, mules, and moose are impacted by this disease. First, they have difficulty moving, and the most obvious and consistent sign is significant weight loss over time.

Madam Speaker, I made an amendment to the 2018 farm bill that gives priority status to chronic wasting disease under the research portion of the bill, and I will be introducing legislation to help identify and address the root causes of chronic wasting disease.

This past Saturday, my colleague and friend, Congressman John Joyce, and I were at the East Freedom Fire Hall with 300 hunters. At this event, chronic wasting disease was at the forefront.

While the science is developing, a cure is still years away and needs considerable funding to make it a reality. It is my hope that, through research, we can successfully cure chronic wasting disease.

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