Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today I wish to speak about the urgent need for Congress to approve emergency funds to fight the Zika virus. The Zika virus is a rapidly growing public health threat, and the stakes for women are particularly high. The virus is carried by two species of mosquito. They are found in 40 States in this country. There have been 388 travel-related cases in the United States-- meaning an individual was infected during a trip to Latin America, South America, or the Caribbean, where the virus is widespread. There have not yet been any reported cases of local transmission in the continental United States, although more than 500 cases have been reported in Puerto Rico. It is a matter of when, not if, that happens-- particularly as we approach the summer season when mosquitos are most active. Scientists are still working to understand the effects of the Zika virus, but we do know that Zika causes severe, brain-related birth defects in babies when women are infected during pregnancy. Microcephaly, one of the most serious effects of Zika, causes babies' heads to be much smaller than normal. In severe cases, you will also see seizures, developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, feeding problems, hearing loss, and vision problems. The CDC continues to research the virus, and it could be several years before the full-range of health effects is known. One of the most concerning gaps in our scientific knowledge is how the disease is transmitted from person to person.…”