Confronting the Zika Virus

Confronting the Zika Virus

By Congressman Tom Cole

Contrary to some of the overheated rhetoric coming out of the White House and the Democratic side of the aisle in Congress, the United States does not currently lack the resources to confront the Zika virus. While some have disingenuously suggested otherwise, the Administration already has money at its disposal right now to respond to the emergency. But I am also pleased to report that last week House Republicans passed a fiscally-responsible solution for the ongoing Zika crisis in order to protect those most vulnerable.

 

 

In the midst of an ever-changing health crisis, the House offered a thoughtful, reasoned and responsible solution for combating the virus both at home and abroad. Fully paid for using money left over for Ebola and other infectious diseases and drawing upon unused HHS administrative funding, the Zika Response Appropriations Act passed by the House funds research, prevention and treatment activities without adding to the national debt. Specifically, the bill funds critical efforts at the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development.

 

 

But beyond last week’s $622.1 million response measure, it’s important to note that nearly $600 million has already been deployed and been at the disposal of the Administration for dealing with the emergency. For Democrats to suggest that the Administration hasn’t already had adequate funding available to immediately confront the crisis is patently untrue. Moreover, in the coming days and weeks, hundreds of millions of dollars will be considered and dedicated through annual appropriations bills to deal with the ongoing Zika crisis.

 

 

While there is no disagreement that we must take action to prevent the spread of Zika, the tactics for funding the activities for doing so are where Republicans and the Administration remain at odds. The real difference between the Administration’s approach and the Republican approach is that Republicans actually pay for the necessary activities to slow down and ultimately eradicate the virus—including vaccine development and mosquito control—instead of adding it to the national credit card, as Democrats would prefer.

 

 

Certainly, Congress has shown it is ready and willing to effectively respond to Zika in order to protect those most vulnerable. And nothing has been or will be left undone in confronting Zika for lack of money. The current debate is clearly about whether we will pay for efforts needed to deal with the virus without adding to the national debt. Considering that House Republicans proved it is possible to offset the funds to do so, that is the most prudent way to move forward in the midst of this emergency.


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