Centers for Disease Control
(CDC) shows Ebola virus
House Judiciary Committee Chairman and 6th District Congressman Bob Goodlatte, of Roanoke County, says he wrote a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Transportation seeking answers about the Ebola outbreak.
(Continue reading for news release from Congressman Goodlatte and text of letter)
Click HERE to read story on the letter to President Obama and that news release from Congressman Goodlatte.
Goodlatte Seeks Answers on Ebola Response
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bob Goodlatte sent a letter today to Dr. Tom Frieden, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Jeh Johnson, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Anthony Foxx, Secretary of the Department of Transportation, seeking answers on the Obama Administration’s “whole of government” response to the Ebola outbreak.
Below is the text of the letter.
“Dear Director Frieden, Secretary Johnson, and Secretary Foxx:
“I write to share my concern regarding the United States’ ‘whole of government’ response to the Ebola outbreak. While it is important to keep perspective on the outbreak overseas, cases of Ebola now perpetuating in the continental United States is of extreme concern.
“To date, no travel restrictions have been placed on individuals traveling to the United States from affected West African countries. In light of this current position, I would appreciate answers to the following questions:
“• Why are there so few advanced screening sites in the continental United States to screen international travelers?
“• Given that the only domestic acquired cases of Ebola have been in Dallas, Texas, why have we not been screening individuals flying in and out of Dallas, Texas?
“• Specifically, what additional steps are being taken to reach out to U.S. hospitals given media reports that the lack of training and/or supplies in Dallas, Texas contributed to the spread of Ebola to additional individuals?
“• Why are individuals who have come into contact with an afflicted individual being allowed to fly domestically? Reports that Amber Vinson contacted the CDC prior to flying, but was given the ‘okay’ to fly are deeply concerning.
“• It is my understanding that travel restrictions are only placed on healthcare workers who have cared for Ebola patients if it is determined that safety protocols during that care were not followed. However, with additional cases of Ebola presenting themselves in Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital nurses, are these safety protocols, as a measure for travel safety, being reviewed?
“Today, I sent a letter to President Obama urging him to use the authority granted to him in the Immigration and Nationality Act to ‘prohibit foreign nationals who were recently present in an Ebola-ravaged country from entering the United States.’ I reiterate that message to you as well. While reforms to our domestic handling of Ebola in the United States are necessary, and we need to address many concerns, including those I have outlined above, our ‘whole of government’ approach to this situation should include travel restrictions for certain individuals attempting to come to the United States after being in Guinea, Liberia, and/or Sierra Leone.
“I look forward to hearing from you on this important matter.”
NOTE: Earlier today, Congressman Goodlatte also sent a letter to President Obama calling on him to use the authority granted to him by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act to temporarily ban foreign nationals who were recently in an Ebola-ravaged country from traveling to the United States.
