Cole Responds to Failed Passage of Zika Conference Report in the Senate

Norman, OK – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the Senate failed to pass H.R. 2577, the conference report directed at funding Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, as well the Zika Response and Preparedness Act. This legislation would fund continuing military infrastructure projects and programs, and would include funding for confronting the Zika virus through Fiscal Year 2017.

"I am extremely disappointed that my Democratic colleagues in the Senate have put their own political interests ahead of what is important and urgent now – continuing our fundamental promise to support our military and veterans, and fighting the growing battle of the Zika virus," said Cole. "As a member of the bipartisan conference committee, I was pleased that the conference report included more funding for veterans and military construction than the President requested. We were diligent in our efforts to make sure that the money included for Zika was well accounted for, and equaled the requested amount by the Senate Democrats."

"Democrats simply want to avoid the payment for the Zika effort, and are exploiting a public health crisis merely for political purposes," continued Cole. "And by doing so, they are endangering our global health and putting pregnant women at a higher risk of catching the virus. Furthermore, Democrats are failing on their commitment to our military and disregarding the needs of our veterans and active duty personnel. This is one of the most cynical political ploys I have seen, and it is shameful to push our military and our nation's health aside just for cheap political points."