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Post by bot on Aug 7, 2016 19:25:04 GMT -5
Hoyer: Republicans Need to Stop Playing Politics with an Urgent Public Health Crisis
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today in response to an op-ed by Speaker Paul Ryan that blamed Democrats for Congress's inaction on the Zika virus:
"Speaker Ryan is flat out wrong when it comes to Congress's inaction on Zika. The bill House Republicans brought to the Floor in July was not, as he characterized it in his op-ed piece today, a 'compromise.' In fact, it was a partisan bill over which Democrats had no input and that contained controversial and unacceptable policy riders that jeopardized women's access to health care at a time when many American women and their families are worried about the effects of Zika on pregnancy. Additionally, contrary to another of his claims, the Administration does not have sufficient resources to combat Zika and support the development of a vaccine, and without additional funds approved by Congress, the development of such a vaccine could be delayed.
“The Senate has already passed a real bipartisan Zika compromise, an amendment sponsored by Senators Murray and Blunt, and that is the policy the House ought to consider. Republicans need to stop playing politics with an urgent public health crisis. I urge them to bring legislation reflecting the Senate-passed Zika agreement before the House for a vote without delay."
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