Senator Ernst Supports Critical Funding for Military, Veterans, and Zika

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) today released the following statement after again supporting the conference report on the Zika Prevention and Response Act, the Fiscal Year 2017 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon/VA) Appropriations Act, and the Department of Defense Appropriations Act:

“Today the Senate again took up legislation that would provide funding to combat the Zika virus, provide quality care for our veterans, and ensure our troops out on the front lines have the resources they need. Unfortunately, rather than work across the aisle on these important measures, Senate Democrats continue to play politics at the expense of public health as well as the health and safety of veterans and our troops.

“As Zika spreads and the number of Zika-infected Americans reaches the thousands, Senate Democrats must set aside the political rhetoric and support these commonsense measures. It is imperative we act now to provide funding to treat and combat this terrible virus.

“In addition, Senate Democrats blocked funding for the safety of our troops and care of our veterans by voting down the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, and the Department of Defense Appropriations Act. Our servicemembers and veterans do not fail us, yet Senate Democrats are willingly failing our men and women by refusing to do their job.

“These are critically important issues to the American people and I will continue to support fiscally responsible solutions. It is my hope that my Democratic colleagues will put politics aside and work with us.”

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