Lowey with Dr. Robert Amler, Dean of the School of Health
Sciences and Practice and Institute of Public Health
at New York Medical College
WHITE PLAINS – Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY17) Thursday called
on House Speaker Paul Ryan to immediately bring members back to Washington
to approve $1.1 billion in emergency funding to combat the spread of the
Zika virus.
Lowey said current funding is about to run out and scientists cannot wait
any longer to continue their research.
“It is outrageous that, at a time when the deadly Zika virus is
spreading within the continental United States, Congress sits on its hands
and refuses to provide emergency funding needed for an effective response,”
the congresswoman said. “The consequences of this public health
emergency are too severe for political gamesmanship. Speaker Ryan, you
should immediately reconvene the House of Representatives to provide emergency
funding to stem the tide of this public health crisis.”
The Senate has already approved the $1.1 billion for the research.
The first locally transmitted infections have been recorded in Miami,
prompting the first-ever CDC travel warning in the continental US.
