Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL), chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, issued the following statement on H.R. 5243, the Zika Response Appropriations Act:
“House Republicans failed to provide the CDC with a sufficient level of funding to combat the burgeoning public health threat posed by the Zika virus. Public health experts determined that $1.9 billion is needed to fight Zika, yet Republicans are looking to provide less than a third of that amount in a half-hearted attempt to appear as though they are addressing the epidemic. We have an opportunity here to cut Zika off at the knees but instead scores of Americans are being put at risk because of the irresponsible failure to provide the funding needed to stem the spread of the epidemic.
As Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, I am committed to promoting the health and wellbeing of underserved communities, which have been most affected by Zika. I will continue to advocate for robust funding and solid strategies to combat this virus.”