This week, health officials reported there are now more than 400 travel related cases of Zika in Florida along with 21 locally transmitted cases. The growing number of infections in Florida follows the first Zika-related death in Texas.
You’ll recall in June, I sent a letter to U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan expressing the urgency of this issue for states like Florida. However, Congress failed to pass a Zika funding package before breaking for the district work period.
With Congress not scheduled to return to Washington, D.C. for nearly four weeks, I support calls for an emergency session to address this health issue and quickly reach a bicameral, bipartisan consensus package that can be enacted into law immediately.
In recent weeks, we have worked through some of the concerns with the [resident’s proposal, and while I still prefer a package introduced by both U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson, the debate has gone on too long. We cannot let our differences lead us to inaction.
As Floridians we are proud of our beautiful tropical community, but Zika has the potential to pose a public health crisis that could threaten our tourism industry and impact the well-being of our friends, families and neighbors.
The good news is nearly $100 million dollars per month is currently flowing to combat Zika as a result of reprogramming Ebola funds. After meeting with Pinellas County leadership, I can also tell you action is being taken locally.
But we must pass a comprehensive funding package that will give health officials what they need to protect Floridians and others from the spread of Zika before this threat becomes a crisis.
You have my commitment that I will not stop fighting for this until we come to a long-term solution.
I also strongly encourage you to visit www.cdc.gov/zika to learn more about the disease and how best to protect you and your family from infection and spread.
U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla., was first elected to Congress in 2014.
