On the recordMay 17, 2016
Let us be clear. This bill has absolutely nothing to do with Zika or trying to stop the threat of the Zika virus. Despite claims made by my colleagues to the contrary, the permit already in effect allows spraying for Zika or other mosquito control programs. H.R. 897 is simply another attack on the Clean Water Act as part of the Republican's anti-environmental, deregulatory agenda. I urge my colleagues to vote this legislation down. And let's do something real to combat Zika. The President has asked for $1.9 billion in emergency funding because it is an emergency. It is a public health threat. If we did that now, then we would be fulfilling our duties and responsibilities. But this legislation today fulfills no responsibilities, gets in the way of protecting clean water, and does absolutely nothing to combat the Zika virus that, if you look at the map, is quickly spreading across this country.
