U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler is supporting President Barack Obama’s efforts to fight the Zika virus despite pushback from her fellow congressional Republicans.
“If we do not act now and get ahead of the spread of Zika in the U.S., we will be facing a national emergency similar to what is tragically playing out in other parts of the world,” Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, said in a statement.
Obama is requesting $1.9 billion to combat the virus, but congressional Republicans have resisted the effort. There have been more than 470 cases of Zika reported in the U.S. so far, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All of the cases, including one in Seattle, are due to travel to areas outside the U.S.
Zika generally causes relatively mild symptoms in most people, but it can lead to severe birth defects if a woman contracts the disease while pregnant.
“I don’t want expecting parents or those who will be starting families to face the risk of severe birth defects this virus causes on a massive scale, and know Congress could have done more to stop it,” Herrera Beutler said.
The congresswoman added she is working on legislation that would pinpoint a way to fund fighting the Zika virus without adding to the national debt. Herrera Beutler is also advocating for a measure to send $10 million toward Zika prevention for low-income mothers in the Women, Infants and Children program. The program has already distributed mosquito repellent and bed nets, and Herrera Beutler’s hoping the millions would help increase those efforts.
Staffers for Republican lawmakers told the Associated Press they haven’t heard from many constituents who think fighting Zika is a priority. “Very few calls/letters,” emailed a spokeswoman for Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., the Associated Press reported.
Herrera Beutler is currently pregnant with her second child, a son. During her second term serving in Congress, her daughter, Abigail, was born premature and without kidneys. Doctors told Herrera Beutler that Abigail’s Potter Syndrome would likely be fatal, but the toddler, who recently received a kidney from her father, is doing well.
Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington is also championing money to combat Zika.
“There is lot we still don’t know about the Zika virus, but what we do know makes clear that we can’t wait to act. I’m deeply disappointed that Republicans continue to delay in the face of a truly urgent public health threat to women and families across the country,” Murray said in a statement, adding that mosquito season is on its way.
The National Governors Association is pushing Congress to act.
“States are on the front lines in ensuring the health and safety of our communities, and federal investment is crucial to bolstering state and federal agencies’ health emergency preparedness, and laboratory, vector control and outreach capacities,” Gov. Jay Inslee said in a statement.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
