NEWS RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) on Tuesday voted in favor of H.R. 897, the Zika Vector Control Act. Whitfield released the following statement upon passage:
“Our best approach to combat Zika is to stop it before it becomes a public health crisis. This legislation allows state and local governments to proactively use pesticides that are already approved for use under the Federal Fungicide, Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act to combat the mosquitos that carry dangerous diseases such as Zika, without having to first obtain an additional permit from the Environmental Protection Agency. Zika is spread through bites from infected mosquitos, and pregnant women and their unborn children are among the most vulnerable. We must do all we can to stop the spread of this terrible virus, and the municipalities and organizations that maintain mosquito control programs should not have to fight Zika with one hand tied behind their backs.”