Raja Calls on Congress to Pass Anti-Zika Funding Now

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., (September 12, 2016) — Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Schaumburg) today called on Congress to pass a clean anti-Zika funding bill now that immediately addresses the public health crisis.

“Republicans have insisted on taking away funding from Planned Parenthood as a condition to providing money to fight the Zika virus and develop a vaccine,” said Krishnamoorthi, the Democratic nominee in the 8th Congressional District that includes west and northwest Chicago suburbs. “This is a direct assault on women’s health for political purposes and must stop. I am calling on Congress to pass a clean anti-Zika bill now. Too many lives of pregnant women and their children depend on immediate action, not dithering by Congress.”

The moves by Republicans to prevent any of the funds to fight the Zika virus from going to Planned Parenthood attacks a key provider of health services to women, in particular in Puerto Rico where the Zika virus is prevalent. The currently authorized money to fight Zika has almost been all spent, according to the Centers for Disease Control, raising the stakes on the urgency for Congress to act now.

“Republicans in Congress are just trying to score political points by using the Zika emergency as a way to target Planned Parenthood,” Raja said. “This public health crisis needs money and action, not posturing.”

The move by Republicans in Congress to tie funding to fight the Zika virus to no funding for Planned Parenthood follows repeated efforts by Republicans to strip Planned Parenthood of all federal funding, an action that would have terrible consequences for the millions of women who rely on Planned Parenthood for their health care and reproductive rights.

The son of immigrants, Raja grew up in Illinois. After college and law school, he became issues director for Barack Obama’s successful U.S. Senate campaign. He also served as a founding prosecutor in Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s anti-corruption unit.

A lifelong progressive, Raja is running for Congress to stand up for working families and grow and strengthen the middle class.

_{Photo Credit: Chicago Sun Times}