[House Document 114-103]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]






114th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - House Document 114-103

 
    A REQUEST FOR EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR FY 2016

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

 A REQUEST FOR EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS TO RESPOND TO THE 
            ZIKA VIRUS BOTH DOMESTICALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY



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  February 25, 2016.--Referred to the Committee on Appropriations and 
                         ordered to be printed
                                  _______
                                  
                         U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 

59-012                         WASHINGTON : 2016 





                      
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                                           The White House,
                                     Washington, February 22, 2016.
Hon. Paul D. Ryan,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: Today, I ask the Congress to consider the 
enclosed FY 2016 emergency supplemental appropriations request 
of approximately $1.9 billion to respond to the Zika virus both 
domestically and internationally. This funding would build upon 
ongoing preparedness efforts and provide resources for the 
Departments of Health and Human Services and State, and the 
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Funding 
would support immediate response activities to prevent the 
spread of, prepare for, and respond to Zika virus transmission; 
fortify domestic public health systems to prevent, detect, and 
respond to Zika virus transmission; speed research, 
development, and procurement of vaccines, therapeutics, and 
diagnostics; provide emergency assistance to States and the 
U.S. Territories to combat the virus; provide additional 
Federal Medicaid funding in Puerto Rico and the other U.S. 
Territories for health services for pregnant women at risk of 
infection or diagnosed with Zika virus, and for children with 
microcephaly, and for other health care costs; and enhance the 
ability of Zika-affected countries to better combat mosquitoes, 
control transmission, and support affected populations.
    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 50 
laboratory-confirmed cases of the Zika virus among U.S. 
travelers from December 2015-February 5, 2016. In addition, the 
Pan American Health Organization reports 26 countries and 
territories in the Americas with local Zika transmission. On 
February 1, 2016, the World Health Organization declared the 
Zika virus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
    My foremost priority is to protect the health and safety of 
Americans. This request supports the necessary steps to fortify 
our domestic health system, detect and respond to any potential 
Zika outbreaks at home, and to limit the spread in other 
countries.
    The request includes approximately $1.9 billion to respond 
to Zika virus transmission across the United States and 
internationally. In addition, transfer authority is requested 
to allow for sufficient response and flexibility across the 
Federal Government to address changing circumstances and 
emerging needs related to the Zika virus.
    My Administration requests that the funding described above 
be designated as emergency requirements pursuant to section 
251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
Control Act of 1985, as amended.
    I urge the Congress to act expeditiously in considering 
this important request, the details of which are set forth in 
the enclosed letter from the Director of the Office of 
Management and Budget.
            Sincerely,
                                                      Barack Obama.
                                                      
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