The Obama administration announced on Wednesday that federal agencies will be able to use existing funds to help fight the Zika outbreak, a move previously called for by legislative leaders.
U.S. Reps. Kay Granger (R-TX), the chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, and Tom Cole (R-OK), the chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, called for existing funds to be used in the fight against Zika in February.
“Recent outbreaks – including the devastating Ebola virus – have highlighted the necessity of a rapid, direct and strategic response to global health crises,’ Granger, Cole and U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY), the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said in a joint statement. “It is clear that Zika poses a real threat to public health, and the United States must respond quickly to address the current situation and be prepared for the potential spread of this disease within our borders.”
The committee leaders said that they were “pleased” that the administration had heeded their call to allow federal agencies to use funds that are already on hand to help prevent the spread of Zika around the world and to protect against domestic outbreaks.
“We will look carefully at the details of today’s proposal by the administration to ensure the best and most effective use of these funds, and to provide proper oversight,” the legislators said. “As we move forward, the Appropriations Committee will continue to monitor the changing needs resulting from this unpredictable crisis to assure the resources necessary for the response are available.”
The administration’s move on Wednesday also mirrors legislation cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) in February, the Zika Response and Safety Act, H.R. 4446, to enable federal agencies to use funds previously appropriated by Congress for Ebola to fight Zika.
“The number of Zika cases keeps growing,” Buchanan said. “The mosquito-borne virus represents a growing health threat to Florida and the country so I’m hopeful this targeted funding will help stop its spread.”
There have been 80 confirmed cases of Zika in Florida and 312 cases confirmed in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The administration’s move to help fund anti-Zika efforts is welcome,” Buchanan said. “But, we must remain vigilant in keeping our friends and neighbors safe.”
Approximately $600 million in federal funds will be made available to help fight Zika following Monday’s announcement, the Associated Press reports.