News Releases

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) released the following statement today following his affirmative vote for the Fiscal Year 2017 continuing resolution, which includes critical funding for the Zika virus response, veterans’ programs and key infrastructure improvements for American military forces:

“No woman’s reaction to learning she is pregnant should be fear because of Zika, and no newborn child’s well-being should be endangered because their nation’s leaders lack the will to get the job done. My conversations with CDC Director Tom Frieden and visit to the K-State Biosecurity Research Institute both underscored this point: we must provide emergency resources to protect our citizens from the threat of Zika.

“I have never believed in band-aid extensions and while there’s no substitute for regular budget order, passage of this interim bill is the responsible way to address the Zika virus and provide certainty to Kansans and Americans. It also keeps essential functions of our government running, includes vital protections for veterans, and prioritizes critical military construction projects.”

Background
Sen. Moran has been an advocate to finding a solution to fund research for the Zika virus including:

  • Visiting Kansas State University on Aug. 24, 2016, to learn more about Zika in Kansas;
  • Penning an op-ed on Aug. 25, 2016, encouraging Congress to come together to find a solution on Zika; and
  • Discussing the Zika virus with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Director Dr. Tom Frieden on Sept. 8, 2016.

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