[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 84 (Thursday, May 26, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H3270]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ZIKA VIRUS
(Mr. DEUTCH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, a new CDC study shows a 13 percent risk that
the Zika virus will result in microcephaly, causing incomplete fetal
brain development.
Already, nearly 300 pregnant women in the United States have acquired
Zika. In light of these risks, how can this Congress continue to
obstruct, delay, and deny the necessary funding for a response?
On many issues, this Congress is divided. I get it. But this is our
most basic job. This emergency will test us as Americans, and it will
test us as an institution. Will we come together to prevent a Zika
outbreak? Will we protect these families? Will we act in the common
good, or will we continue to play politics, ignore the science, and
disregard these serious risks?
The study's author, CDC biologist Michael Johansson, said: ``We need
to do whatever we can to help women avoid Zika virus infections during
pregnancy.''
Let's listen to him. Let's do our job.
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