HARTFORD – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement, urging the House Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Armed Services Committee, and the House Armed Services Committee to immediately approve the administration’s request for funding authority to address the Ebola crisis. The committees have not yet approved the majority of the $1 billion request.

"One thing we know about stopping pandemics is that time is of the essence. Ebola has taken thousands of lives in West Africa and decimated already weak public health systems in these countries; without immediate help and resources, this epidemic will continue to spread. This is a global threat, and the United States must lead the fight against it. Fear of contagion has led some to call for travel restrictions and further isolation of these countries, but withdrawal is not an option. We know that right now, travel restrictions won’t stop the spread of this disease, and may actually exacerbate the problems these countries face by preventing aid from reaching them. The whole-of-government plan outlined by President Obama—marshalling our military, health care, diplomatic, and economic resources to fight this epidemic—is exactly the right use of American power, and Congress should approve it without delay. Oversight by congressional defense committees must not hinder U.S. leadership in the fight against this public health nightmare."