[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 113 (Wednesday, July 13, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H4824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            URGING CONGRESS TO FUND ZIKA ERADICATION EFFORTS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Curbelo) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a strong sense 
of urgency for this Congress to pass legislation that will fund Zika 
response efforts. It has been 20 days since this House adopted the 
conference report to include $1.1 billion of funding to combat the Zika 
virus.
  While I still fully support the administration's request for $1.9 
billion, this House-passed measure is a step in the right direction. I 
implore my colleagues in the Senate to unite and provide funding to 
eradicate a disease that could devastate our communities, especially 
young mothers and their infants.

                              {time}  1100

  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to represent the southernmost district in 
the United States that spans from Miami to Key West. We have a vibrant 
community and an economy based off trade and tourism. But we are also 
ground zero for the Zika virus, with over 239 cases in Florida, 75 of 
those being in Miami-Dade County. Just yesterday, the Florida 
Department of Health announced six new travel-related cases of Zika.
  I have consistently advocated for full funding at the 
administration's request to stop the spread of Zika and will continue 
to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this done. 
But in the meantime, I strongly encourage the Senate to adopt the Zika 
conference report and provide our healthcare officials with the 
resources they need to fight this dangerous virus.


               Promoting TPP and Protecting American Jobs

  Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the issue of trade has been much 
discussed in the current political season. Candidates all across the 
political spectrum are twisting the facts and telling half-truths in an 
effort to confuse the American people.
  The reality is that trade has afforded American workers and 
businesses the opportunity to sell the products they make all over the 
world, and it has reduced the cost of goods for all American consumers. 
Trade has lifted millions out of poverty and has contributed to the 
proliferation of American values and the advancement of our interests. 
South Florida being the gateway to the Americas, our community knows 
the many benefits of robust trade policies.
  However, free trade must also be fair trade, and American workers and 
companies should not be at an unfair disadvantage. Many citizens have 
contacted my office complaining about Chinese practices that do not 
allow Americans to compete. But even strong U.S. allies are guilty of 
such practices. An example is Australia's Personal Property Securities 
Act.
  Because of this law, U.S. companies that lease assets in Australia 
are at peril of losing them. This notion is contrary to the elemental 
right to own and conduct international business as well as the 
fundamental right to due process and equal treatment, both of which are 
key principles of justice in virtually all nations in the Western 
world. At least one Florida company has been aggrieved by this law, and 
it is important we discuss these issues while we finalize trade 
negotiations.
  Those of us who believe the Trans-Pacific Partnership has the 
potential to be a powerful policy instrument that will benefit 
America's economy and increase our influence in the world also hope 
that it will level the playing field for American workers and 
entrepreneurs and address the policies and practices that give trade a 
bad name. I look forward to following this issue very closely as 
negotiations continue.

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