Washington, D.C. – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) released the following statement today after sending a letter to President Barack Obama expressing his serious concerns about the spread of Ebola to the United States and urging the Administration to implement travel restrictions from nations impacted by Ebola to the United States:
“The threat presented by Ebola is very real, and as a former public health official, I believe that coordinated, calculated action must be taken in order to ensure the safety of our citizens and to stop this deadly virus in its tracks. I have reminded the President of the urgency of this threat, and I urge him to enact travel restrictions from these West African nations so that we can better protect the health and safety of the American people.”
The full text of the letter follows:
October 17, 2014
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President,
Americans have watched as the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa becomes a major public health crisis of pandemic proportions. On behalf of many of my constituents, I write to you with grave concerns about the spread of Ebola to the United States, brought by an infected traveler from West Africa. Highly coordinated interagency efforts must be taken to address the emerging threat of Ebola in the U.S. and to prevent a health crisis here at home.
As a former public health official, I recognize the significant health risks posed by Ebola and understand that when a pandemic of this proportion occurs, movement of people must be restricted immediately. Therefore, I strongly urge your Administration to implement travel restrictions from West African nations impacted by Ebola to the U.S.
I believe this is a sensible and prudent step that would protect Americans by slowing or halting the spread of this deadly virus. Current health screenings in West African nations failed to stop an infected person from traveling from Liberia to the United States. Unfortunately, had travel restrictions already been in place, perhaps Ebola could have been stopped at the U.S. border without jeopardizing the health and safety of the American people.
There is more work to be done to ensure that the public and Congress are kept informed and to ultimately stop the spread of this terrible virus. I respectfully ask that you continue these efforts and stand resolute in the duty to protect all Americans by restricting travel from impacted West African nations.
Finally, we must also ensure the health and safety of our military personnel who have been and will be deployed in West Africa in support of Operation United Assistance, the U.S. military’s response to the Ebola outbreak, as well as our public health officials and first responders here at home.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter and your full consideration of this request.
Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee where he is the Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.
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