Rep. LaMalfa Supports Funding Bill to Combat Zika Virus

Washington, DC – Rep. LaMalfa today released the following statement on the House’s passage of H.R. 5243, the Zika Response Appropriations Act of 2016.

“Zika poses a serious threat both domestically and internationally, and the measure we passed last night is a critical first step in our fight against this devastating virus. H.R. 5243 provides immediate, emergency funding towards the development of vaccines so we can stop the spread of the disease, while also investing in preventative measures, including research, state readiness grants, mosquito control, and diagnostics, to help advance a cure and treat those already infected,” continued LaMalfa. “Playing politics with the public health of our country, especially after seeing the terrible impacts this virus can have, is not an option. This funding, which is completely offset, gives our experts in the field the tools and resources they need to get to work right away and effectively combat the Zika crisis before it worsens.”

H.R. 5243 appropriates $622.1 million in supplemental funding to combat the Zika virus, including $230 million to the National Institute of Health (NIH) for the development of vaccines as well as $170 million to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to fund mosquito control efforts, state response and readiness efforts, disease surveillance, public education, and maternal and child health programs. In addition, the bill appropriates $103 million for biomedical research, and $119.1 million to the State Department, USAID, and Global Health programs to support international efforts.

The measure is fully offset by redirecting $352.1 million in leftover emergency funding from the 2014 Ebola outbreak, as well as $270 million in unused administrative funding within the Department of Health and Human Services.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.

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