[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 1431]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                               ZIKA VIRUS

  Mr. REID. Madam President, I was encouraged this morning to hear that 
President Obama is aggressively responding to the Zika virus. Anyone 
who has heard the news about this terrible mosquito bite over the last 
several weeks has heard about the spread of Zika. This virus is 
primarily spread by mosquitoes in Central America, South America, the 
Caribbean, and the Pacific islands.
  Zika has been linked to birth defects in children, as well as other 
health problems. To date, there have been no confirmed cases of 
Americans getting Zika from mosquitoes in the continental United 
States, but we must not lower our guard. Instead, we must take action.
  The President has taken action, and I appreciate that very much. That 
is why last week the entire Senate Democratic caucus sent a letter to 
President Obama urging quick action responding to the Zika virus. To 
his credit, that is exactly what President Obama has done. Today the 
President announced that he is asking Congress for $1.8 billion to 
combat the outbreak. This funding will, among other things, further 
research of the virus and a potential vaccine; improve mosquito control 
methods here at home; create rapid-response teams in the United States; 
enhance treatment for those who are infected; help deploy prevention 
and education strategies to key populations, including pregnant women 
and their partners; support international aid activities in affected 
areas; and train health care workers in affected countries.
  It is critical that we approve the funds now, immediately, and give 
our government the resources it needs to fight the virus. We also need 
to make sure our Nation's response to the virus includes increasing 
access to contraceptives for women in Zika-affected regions--for those 
who choose to use them.
  We in the Congress must follow President Obama's direction and 
aggressively combat Zika. So I call on my colleagues to support this 
important funding.
  I have been called to the White House tomorrow afternoon at the same 
time the Republican leader has called a briefing on the Zika virus. I 
am going to send staff to that meeting. I can't be at the White House 
and that briefing at the same time, but I will get a thorough, detailed 
account of what takes place at that briefing. I appreciate Senator 
McConnell arranging that meeting, and I apologize for not being able to 
be there.

                          ____________________