Political Quotes

“I thank the Senator for yielding. I wish to add to his comments from this Senator's personal perspective. The State of Florida presently has 94 infected cases that we know of, including 5 pregnant women whom we know of. We also have a very mobile and sizeable population of Puerto Ricans who go to that island, where, lo and behold, it is estimated that up to 20 percent of the population could ultimately be infected. There are upwards of close to 100 cases--multiple hundreds--that we know of. I think the actual number is in the eighties of pregnant women whom we know of who are infected in the United States. As the leader has already described, this has horrendous consequences, not only to the families but there is also the cost to society because of the deformed babies that result--and not necessarily at birth. These defects may come years later, but that is a huge cost to society, not even to speak of the human tragedy. So is it any wonder that I join with the minority leader in begging for this emergency appropriations of $1.9 billion. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a summary of the amendment and a letter from the President detailing his request be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Request to Fight Zika--$1.9 billion (S.…”