Pelosi Statement on HHS Letter Detailing Newest Impacts of Republicans’ Refusal to Enact Zika Funding

August 11, 2016

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement after Secretary of Health and Human Services, Sylvia Mathews Burwell, sent a letter to the Congressional Leadership detailing the critical initiatives that U.S. health officials will be forced to raid for funds to fight Zika, in light of the Republican Majority's continuing refusal to make emergency resources available:

"As Secretary Burwell's letter details, Republicans' incomprehensible inaction on Zika is forcing HHS to raid critical health initiatives just to stave off a needless and dangerous delay of Zika vaccine development. Not only are these resources coming out of commitments to the fight against other devastating illnesses, they are nowhere near sufficient to address the Zika crisis with the seriousness it requires.

"It has been over five months since President Obama presented Congress with an emergency request for resources to protect American families from the Zika virus. Yet without having successfully enacted any funding to fight Zika, Republicans shut down Congress for the longest summer recess in at least 60 years.

"More than 7,000 Americans, including almost 1,000 pregnant women, have been infected with Zika. Already, 15 babies have been born with Zika-related birth defects. What better use of time do Republicans have right now than to come back here and get the job done for the American people?"