DeLauro Statement on First Confirmed Case of Ebola in United States

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released the following statement today after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the first confirmed case of Ebola in the United States. DeLauro is the senior Democrat on the subcommittee responsible for funding the CDC and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

“I am saddened by the first case of Ebola diagnosed in the U.S. and extremely concerned by the threat it poses to our country. I recently met with the CDC Director and told him during that conversation I would support whatever resources are necessary to fight this dangerous virus, both in the U.S. and West Africa. Today, upon hearing this disturbing news, I want to publicly reiterate my pledge to support whatever additional money is necessary to ensure Ebola is contained. If the CDC, or any public health system, needs more resources, Congress should immediately come back to Washington and vote to provide those funds before the November election.

“We also need to continue the work on a vaccine and other treatments to stop this virus in its tracks. Funding for biomedical research is crucial and when Congress works on a funding bill in the coming months we need to ensure the NIH is fully funded.”


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