On Wednesday, Speaker Boehner laid out the actions the House and its committees have taken to assist and assess the government’s response to the Ebola outbreak.  “Numerous committees,” he said, “are actively assessing the administration’s response, and hearings have already begun.   These oversight efforts will continue, and the House stands ready to act if it becomes clear legislation is needed to ensure the threat is countered aggressively and effectively.”

Here is a summary of our committees’ efforts to date.  We will update this list as the committees’ work progresses.

Appropriations

• September 9: Introduced a short-term continuing resolution containing provisions to address the Ebola outbreak.  The full House passed the measure on September 17.

Armed Services

• September 25: Announced the release, in concert with the Appropriations Committee, of $50 million to support Operation United Assistance, the Department of Defense-led mission to combat the Ebola outbreak.
• October 7: Held a committee briefing with interagency representatives on DOD support to Operation United Assistance, including its mission scope, biosecurity plans, deployment timelines, force protection measures, and spend plan.

• October 9: Announced the release, in concert with the Appropriations Committee, of an additional $700 million to support Operation United Assistance.
• October 14: Sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Hagel expressing concern for the protection and wellbeing of troops deploying to West Africa.

Energy & Commerce

• September 12: Sent a letter to HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell seeking more information regarding the Ebola outbreak and preparedness efforts.
• October 16: Held a subcommittee hearing examining the U.S. public health response to the Ebola outbreak, with testimony from the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other administration officials.
• October 23: Sent a letter to President Obama and administration officials seeking further answers on the administration’s response and preparedness efforts to treat those with Ebola, prevent any further spread in the United States, and stop the spread of the virus at its source in West Africa.

Foreign Affairs

• August 7: Held a subcommittee hearing to examine global efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak, with testimony from the director of the CDC and other administration officials.  
• September 17: Held a subcommittee hearing to examine global efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak, with testimony from administration officials.
• October 15: Sent a letter to the State Department calling for the immediate suspension of the issuance of visas for non-U.S. nationals in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

Homeland Security

• September 16: Sent a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security inquiring about inbound international screening procedures and training for Customs and Border Protection personnel.
• October 10: Held a field hearing at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to examine the coordinated federal, state and local response to the Ebola case in Dallas, Texas. 
• October 10: Sent a letter to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection requesting enhanced entry screening at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
• October 15: Sent a letter urging the president to re-establish the position of Special Assistant to the President for Biodefense Policy.
• October 15: Sent a letter calling on the Departments of State and Homeland Security to temporarily suspend the visas of individuals from Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.

Judiciary

• October 16: Sent a letter urging the president to use his authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to temporarily ban foreign nationals who were recently in an Ebola-ravaged country from traveling to the United States. 
• October 21: Sent a letter to the Departments of Homeland Security and State inquiring about reports that the Administration is putting together a plan to allow non-U.S. citizens infected with Ebola to enter the United States for treatment.  

Oversight & Government Reform

• October 24: Held a hearing on the multi-agency response to the Ebola crisis. 

Transportation & Infrastructure

• October 14: Sent a letter calling on the Departments of Transportation and Homeland Security to institute a temporary travel ban for affected West African countries.