Senator Lankford Votes for Defense Appropriations Bill, Opposes Fiscally Irresponsible Zika Bill

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) made the following statement on the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill (HR 2577), which provides $1.1 billion, including $350 million in debt spending, to address the Zika virus:

“In April, the Obama administration publicly stated there was $589 million left from the Ebola response that was available to quickly re-direct funds to address Zika. As of today, only $112 million of the $589 million has been used. President Obama has still not answered the most basic question of why he has continued to demand more money while refusing to spend the nearly half-billion-dollars of Zika funds already allocated.”

Senator Lankford has continued to press the Obama Administration to use existing money for Zika research. Last week, Lankford and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) sent a letter to the Obama Administration on why unobligated funds are not being directed to address the US response to Zika. 

Lankford also made the following statement on his support for the Department of Defense Appropriations Act (HR 5293):

“In this uncertain, chaotic time across the world, why would democrats filibuster the necessary support to our nation’s military and intelligence communities? Congress needs to complete the appropriations process for this year. Funding for our nation’s defense should be a top priority and not used for political partisanship.” 

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