[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 114 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H4981]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          UNFINISHED BUSINESS

  (Ms. CASTOR of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is unconscionable that 
Republicans are adjourning the House early rather than staying to work 
on issues to keep Americans safe, whether that is giving us a vote to 
prevent dangerous people like terrorists from obtaining a machine gun 
or keeping toxic water from flowing in Flint, Michigan, or addressing 
the Zika public health crisis.
  Zika really hits home for me because I represent the Tampa Bay area 
in the State of Florida. It was January when we had the first cases of 
Zika announced in Florida. It was February when public health experts, 
including the CDC and the President, said we need an emergency bill to 
develop vaccines to prevent birth defects and diagnose cases. It was 
March when we had hearings where public health experts expressed a 
sense of urgency of the Congress to act.
  But here we are in July, 6 months later, with almost 300 cases in 
Florida, and 43 are pregnant women. We had the first case in Florida of 
a baby born with microcephaly. It is very serious. Those babies can't 
see, they can't hear, they can't walk.
  I am proud of my Democratic colleagues who have remained in the 
Capitol to work.
  I am asking: Where are the Republicans? Why did you adjourn early 
rather than stay here to work to keep the American people safe?

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