[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 6, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H5074]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      ZIKA THREAT TO SOUTH FLORIDA

  (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 39th day since local 
transmission of the Zika virus via mosquitoes was confirmed in my area 
of south Florida on July 29, 39 days since it was obvious that much 
more needed to be done to confront the threat that Zika posed to U.S. 
citizens here at home. And yet here we are with 56 locally acquired 
cases of Zika in Miami-Dade County, 7 of them having been confirmed 
just today--today, Mr. Speaker. There are 2,686 travel-related cases 
across the continental U.S.
  Federal funding is needed now to help those born with congenital Zika 
infections, such as Micaela Mendoza. Every day since her birth in July, 
Micaela and her parents have waited to learn more about the extent of 
her complications from Zika because so little is still to be known 
about the virus.
  Mr. Speaker, how many more days will south Florida families have to 
wait for a comprehensive response package from the Federal Government? 
We have waited too long. Send in the cavalry.

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