The CDC reports nearly 900 cases of Zika in the U.S. and U.S. territories, including in Minnesota; over 80 of those cases are in pregnant women

Klobuchar and other women senators spoke on the Senate floor and called for increased funding to mitigate the spread of Zika and respond to outbreaks of the virus

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and other women senators today took to the Senate floor to call for immediate action to combat the Zika virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported nearly 900 cases of the Zika virus in the U.S. and U.S. territories, including in Minnesota. And over 80 of those cases are in pregnant women. Klobuchar spoke on the Senate floor and called for increased funding to mitigate the spread of Zika and respond to outbreaks of the virus.

“The mosquitos are coming. We know that. Zika has already come to Puerto Rico. It is only a matter of hours or days or weeks before an American citizen in the continental U.S. gets the disease from a mosquito here,” said Klobuchar. “We can't just sit and wait until it happens. We have to act now.”

Earlier this month, Klobuchar sent a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee and called for the passage of the Administration’s $1.9 billion emergency supplemental funding request for the prevention and treatment of the Zika virus outbreak.

Senators Patty Murray, Elizabeth Warren, Heidi Heitkamp, Jeanne Shaheen, Mazie Hirono, and Barbara Mikulski also spoke today on the floor about the Zika virus.

For a broadcast-quality video excerpt of Klobuchar’s remarks, click here.

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