Political Quotes

“In the spirit of transparency and accountability my amendment directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to probe whether the Department of Defense ever weaponized ticks with Lyme disease or any other dangerous pathogen. Two similar amendments I have offered--one for an investigation by the Inspector General and another by the GAO--previously passed the House but did not make it through the Senate. I offer it again as the investigation and research may help uncover decades-old information and possibly provide some answers for those that suffer from Lyme. Americans deserve the truth. For years, books and articles have been written credibly asserting that significant research at Fort Detrick, Plum Island, and elsewhere was conducted to turn ticks into bioweapons. In her book, ``Bitten: The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Weapons,'' Kris Newby includes interviews with Dr. Willy Burgdorfer, the researcher who is credited with discovering Lyme disease. It turns out that Dr. Burgdorfer was a bioweapons specialist. The interviews, combined with access to Dr. Burgdorfer's files, reveal that he and other bioweapons specialists stuffed ticks with pathogens in a quest to cause severe disability, disease, and death. Mr. Speaker, Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases are exploding in the United States.…”