Veasey Urges House & Senate Leadership to Fund Contraceptive Care to Combat Zika Virus Outbreak

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Veasey (TX-33) along with colleagues Representatives Katherine Clark (MA-5), Diana DeGette (CO-1), Louise Slaughter (NY-25), Ami Bera (CA-7), Eliot Engel (NY-16), and Nita Lowey (NY-17) led a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urging Republican leadership to support a comprehensive response to the ongoing Zika outbreak, including a robust effort to expand access to women’s reproductive care at home and abroad.

The recent and alarming spread of the Zika virus poses a serious threat to pregnant women and their children. In the Americas alone, the outbreak could infect up to 4 million people, and local transmission of the virus has been reported in 26 countries and 3 U.S. territories. At least 50 travel-related Zika infections have been reported in at least 15 states and the District of Columbia. Earlier this month, Dallas health officials’ confirmed the virus’ sexually transmission by a returning traveler, the first known case of the virus acquired within the continental United States. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently issued a health advisory notice counseling women in affected countries to refrain from pregnancy and urged sexually active men to use contraception correctly to prevent sexual transmission of the virus.

“In light of the first Zika virus case in Dallas, I am urging Republican leadership to support local and international efforts to prevent widespread harm from the infectious disease. Given that the Zika virus has the most detrimental impact on pregnant women and their children, a fitting response cannot exclude meaningful access to contraceptive care and family planning within the United States and abroad,” Veasey said. “Republicans can reverse course on their anti-women agenda by providing the necessary resources for women and their partners to make the best healthcare choices, especially in light of a worldwide health concern such as the Zika outbreak.”

A copy of the letter can be found here.

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