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U.S. Representative John Boehner
Travel Ban
Should Be Considered by President as Ebola Crisis Worsens
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- “Our hearts go out to the health care workers who
have contracted the Ebola virus here in the United States, as well as
those who have been impacted by it around the globe. We pray for
their speedy recovery, and we pray for those who are helping to treat
and care for these individuals, including our medical experts and
military personnel who are in West Africa to help stem this deadly
disease. Concerns about the possibility of an outbreak of this
sort prompted the House to provide more funding for the CDC than
requested, and the tragic developments seen in recent weeks demonstrate
that decision was a prudent one.
“In a September 16 speech in Atlanta, President Obama said the ‘chances
of an Ebola outbreak here in the United States are extremely
low.’ Since that time, several Americans have been diagnosed with
the virus and untold more potentially exposed to it. Today we
learned that one individual who has contracted the virus flew to Ohio
through the Cleveland airport in the last few days. A temporary
ban on travel to the United States from countries afflicted with the
virus is something that the president should absolutely consider along
with any other appropriate actions as doubts about the security of our
air travel systems grow.
“It is also imperative we ensure that federal, state and local
agencies, along with our public health infrastructure, are prepared,
remain vigilant, and follow proper protocols to identify the virus and
take appropriate measures for those who have been exposed to it.
“Numerous committees – including the House Armed Services Committee and
the Committees on Appropriations, Homeland Security, Energy &
Commerce, and Transportation & Infrastructure – are actively
assessing the administration’s response, and hearings have already
begun. The Homeland Security Committee held a hearing in Dallas
to examine the federal, state, and local response thus far.
Tomorrow, the Energy & Commerce Committee will hear from the CDC
and NIH to look into their response to the crisis. These
oversight efforts will continue, and the House stands ready to act if
it becomes clear legislation is needed to ensure the threat is
countered aggressively and effectively.
“The administration must be able to assure Americans that we will stop
the spread here at home. We will continue to press the
administration for better information about what steps will be taken to
protect the American people, including our troops, from this deadly
virus. And we will work with the administration on appropriate
policy options that will help stop the spread of this horrific disease
both here in the United States and around the globe.”
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