Washington, D.C. — In response to the recent spread of the Ebola virus from West Africa to the United States, Rep. David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-W.Va.) is urging the Obama Administration and public health officials to take a more aggressive response, including restricting travel from West African countries where there have been significant outbreaks.

“Combating the spread of Ebola requires an aggressive and coordinated plan,” said McKinley. “Unfortunately the response thus far has been full of missteps and confusion and the American public is losing confidence.”

“Stopping the outbreak in West Africa is the only way to contain the virus – and the U.S. needs to continue to provide leadership on that front – but there are several common sense steps we need to take to protect the American people,” added McKinley. “Temporarily banning travel from the West African countries hit hardest by Ebola until this gets under control should be one step.”

Two-thirds of Americans support limiting travel, but yesterday President Obama said he opposes a travel ban.

“A travel ban won’t solve the Ebola crisis, but it should be part of a broader strategy, including resources to fight the outbreak in Africa, enhanced screenings at airports, and more intensive training for health care workers,” said McKinley. “President Obama should rethink his opposition and use his authority to institute a travel ban.”

“The United States has the best health care system in the world, despite the inadequate response thus far, I am confident we can lead the fight to defeat Ebola with a more aggressive plan,” said McKinley.

Yesterday the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of Energy and Commerce held a hearing with leadership from the Centers for Disease Control and National Institutes of Health. The hearing was just the latest action taken by the House to address the threat to public health.

Timeline

September 12: The House Energy and Commerce Committee sent a letter to HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell seeking more information regarding the Ebola outbreak and preparedness efforts.

September 17: The full House passes a continuing resolution that included money to fight the Ebola outbreak.

September 17: The Foreign Affairs Committee held a subcommittee hearing with testimony from Obama Administration officials to examine global efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak.

September 25: The House Armed Services and Appropriations committees announced the release of $50 million to support Operation United Assistance, the Department of Defense-led mission to combat the Ebola outbreak.

October 9: The House Armed Services and Appropriations committees announced the release of an additional $700 million to support Operation United Assistance.

October 16: The Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees 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.

October 16: The Energy and Commerce Committee 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.