Democrats to GOP: Our government has a crucial role to play in ensuring that women everywhere have access to critical health care services

On Friday, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) led 27 of their Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to Republican leaders emphasizing the importance of prioritizing women’s access to reproductive health care in light of the spreading Zika virus.

“The recent and alarming spread of the Zika virus poses a serious threat to pregnant women and their children,” the Senators wrote. “We write to urge you to join us in our longstanding support of increasing access to reproductive health care, including contraceptives, for women who choose to use them, world-wide.”

Local transmission of the Zika virus has been reported in 27 countries and 3 U.S. territories. It is anticipated that the outbreak could infect up to 4 million people in the Americas, including in the United States. When contracted by pregnant women, the virus has been linked to a serious birth defect known as “microcephaly,” and the World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared these Zika-linked birth defects a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern.”

The Senators’ letter calls for additional funding for agencies that support the delivery of maternal and child health services, as well as reproductive health care. It highlights the importance of family planning and contraception in Zika-affected countries, and emphasizes the need to address health inequities and ensure that women and children receive the care they need in light of this growing public health threat.

Cosigners include Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tom Carper (D-DE), Chris Coons (D-DE), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Al Franken (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Jon Tester (D-MT), Tom Udall (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).