Rep. Meeks Urges Republicans to Fulfill President Obama’s Zika Funding Request
Rep. Meeks Urges Republicans to Fulfill President Obama’s Zika Funding Request
WASHINGTON, D.C. – OMB Director Shaun Donovan and National Security Advisor Susan Rice yesterday wrote to Republican Leadership urging them to fulfill President Obama’s $1.9 billion request for emergency funding to fight the Zika virus. President Obama first requested the supplemental funding on February 22nd, 2016. With Republicans failing to act on this public health crisis, House Democrats introduced a bill fulfilling the President’s request. Congressman Gregory W. Meeks issued the following statement regarding the threat of Zika:
“More than two months ago, President Obama requested $1.9 billion to combat the Zika virus. He recognized the threat that Zika poses to our nation and our hemisphere, and he asked Congress to address it. The President understands, just as many of us do, that this public health crisis deserves immediate attention and proper resources. While Republicans failed to act for over two months, Democrats introduced a bill fulfilling the President’s request for emergency Zika funding.
"Zika shouldn’t be a partisan issue; it’s a public health issue. I urge Republicans to put politics aside and fulfill both the President’s request and their responsibility to protect the American people."