DeLauro Statement on the First Locally Acquired Case of the Zika Virus

WASHINGTON, DC (July 20, 2016) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement regarding news that a person in Florida may have the first locally acquired case of the Zika virus.

“For months, Republicans in Congress delayed acting on the Zika virus, leaving millions of Americans across the country at risk of contracting the disease. Not only did they refuse to fund the President’s $1.9 billion request, they left town for more than seven weeks—the longest Congressional recess in decades. And while Republicans enjoy their summer vacation and celebrate the nomination of Donald Trump, the Zika virus is infecting Americans and will continue to spread.

“Congress must get back to work, fully fund the Administration’s request, and respond vigorously to the Zika virus. Waiting until after Labor Day will add months of delay to our already late response to this public health crisis. With one locally acquired case of the Zika virus on the U.S. mainland, the threat for more cases is only growing. The Zika virus is real, it is here, and we must act now.”

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