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Energy and Commerce Committee Members Press President Obama for Answers on Ebola Response Efforts

Twenty-eight Republican members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee recently sent a letter to President Obama, Ebola Response Coordinator Ron Klain, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell, and Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson seeking further answers on the administration’s response and preparedness efforts to treat those with Ebola, prevent any further spread in the United States, and stop the spread of the virus at its source in West Africa. The members write, “with a series of questions and recommendations to ensure that the U.S. response to the risks posed by the Ebola outbreak in West Africa is as effective as possible in protecting the public health and safety of the American people. Congress stands ready to serve as a strong and solid partner in solving this crisis.”

Committee members requested more information about the administration’s plan to prevent the spread of Ebola in the United States, rationale behind its opposition to travel restrictions, efforts to improve the development of diagnostic testing and screening, and the capacity of the U.S. public health system to identify and treat patients with Ebola. Read the complete letter online here.

“Energy and Commerce Committee members have serious concerns about insufficient planning and preparedness from the administration in response to the ongoing Ebola threat. In an effort to provide some peace of mind to the American people, we continue to ask the administration to outline a clear strategy and work with us to ensure that every step necessary is being taken to protect the public health. With a disease as deadly as Ebola, there is no margin for error,” commented full committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). 

"We have not yet seen the Administration lay out a clear strategy for how to address the spread of Ebola," said Latta. "My Energy and Commerce Committee colleagues and I are concerned about the inadequate planning and lack of coordination. To alleviate Americans' concerns and prevent the further spread of Ebola, we deserve answers from this Administration, as well as solutions to ensure the same mistakes are not made going forward." 

Energy and Commerce Committee leaders first sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell seeking details on the administration’s preparedness and response efforts on September 12, 2014. The Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee held a hearing last week, which left members with additional questions about the status of a clear and effective strategy to address the threat of Ebola in both the United States and Africa.

The letter was signed by:

Full Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI)

Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Tim Murphy (R-PA)

Full Committee Chairman Emeritus Joe Barton (R-TX)

Health Subcommittee Chairman Joe Pitts (R-PA)

Full Committee Vice Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)

Vice Chairman of Health and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittees Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX)

Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY)

Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL)

Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR)

Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE)

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI)

Rep. Phil Gingrey, M.D. (R-GA)

Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA)

Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH)

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)

Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS)

Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ)

Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)

Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY)

Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX)

Rep. David McKinley (R-WV)

Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO)

Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS)

Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)

Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH)

Rep. Billy Long (R-MO)

Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC) 

Read the complete letter online here.

 

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