Letter to Jeanne Shaheen, Senator of New Hampshire - Reconsider Opposition to Travel Ban

Letter

Dear Senator Shaheen,

The outbreak of Ebola represents a serious and growing threat to the health and well-being of the American people. I believe that one way to prevent and contain this disease is by enacting a travel ban to and from West African countries that are infected with this virus, and imposing an embargo on the issuance of visas to people in countries where the virus is prevalent.

This step goes beyond partisan politics as there is a growing and bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in Congress in favor of it. So far, more than 70 members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have come out in favor of a temporary travel ban.

Travel bans have proved successful in stopping Ebola in West African countries that are much closer to the disease outbreak than we are here in the United States. A travel ban such as the one I've described would prevent more people coming here like Thomas Eric Duncan, who arrived from Liberia with Ebola and transmitted it to two nurses in Texas before dying.

This is not the time to put loyalty to President Obama and his policies above doing what's right to keep Americans safe. I ask that you exercise independent judgment and follow the lead of others in your party who have joined with Republicans to call for an Ebola travel ban.

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