Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5243, the Zika Response Appropriations Act. This bill provides $622 million to respond to the Zika virus both at home and abroad. As chair of the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, I want to highlight funds in the bill for the international response efforts to stop the virus at its source. This includes mosquito control activities to stop the spread of the virus, public information campaigns to get the message out about Zika, and evacuations of Americans when needed. These efforts will build on work that has already begun. After my colleagues and I urged swift action, the administration decided to redirect $589 million of funds already in hand to respond to the Zika virus. This funding bill is the next step. It provides our best estimate of what is needed for the remaining months of this fiscal year. As we draft the fiscal year 2017 appropriations bills and information about the threat of Zika becomes more clear, we will address at that time any additional requirements through our regular process. Unlike the President's request, the activities supported in this bill are targeted and focused. This bill also contains strong oversight provisions and is fully offset. H.R. 5243 provides what is needed now to respond to the Zika virus, and I urge my colleagues to support it.”