States that will fully repeal the obama health law. A president who will reign in the power and cost and size of this behemoth federal government. We should eliminate the department of energy, environmental protection, education, and most importantly, lets get rid of the department of the interior. The land belongs to us not the federal government. Thats right. And we will elect a president that takes seriously his or her oath to defend the constitution of the United States, the greatest document created by mankind. The fight of our lifetimes. This is a fight we must win because you and i know one thing for sure. Freedom isnt free. Its up to you and me. Thank you. Thank you. We can do this. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you so much. Recentr today, a discussion with the former secretary of state, madeleine albright, and condoleezza rice, along with robert gates. Russialk about u. S. And relations another foreignpolicy issues, including ukraine, iraq, and the u. S. Role abroad. We have that at 4 30 eastern time. This month, cspan presents debate on what makes america great. Evolution, genetically modified food. Issue spotlight with benefit health care, student loan debt, and Sexual Assault on campus. Discussions include global warming, voting rights, fighting Infectious Disease, and food safety. And our history tour, showing sites and sounds from americas historic places. Let us know what you think about the programs you are watching. Call us or email us. Join the conversation. Like us on facebook, follow us on twitter. Summoned news about the ebola virus separate. Some samples were sent to the cdc. A man from saudi arabia, who died from those symptoms, did not have the virus. The man, 40 years old, he died last week after returning from a region in africa that had seen an outbreak of the virus. Cdc is conducting additional tests to further confirm the negative results and see if another virus might be to blame. To date, he was the only person in saudi arabia infected. Outbreak in west africa was the topic of a recent hearing on capitol hill. The head of the cdc testified about what theyre doing to monitor the situation. The Committee Also heard from two missionary groups working in west africa, that included two american to later contracted ebola. They are now being monitored and treated in the u. S. So far, over 900 people have died. This hearing is 2. 5 hours. The subcommittee will come to order. Good afternoon to everyone. I called this emergency hearing during recess to address a grave answer is Health Threat which has in recent weeks ripped the mass media and heighten public fears of an epidemic of the ebola virus. What we hope to gain from todays hearing is a realistic understanding of what we are up against while avoiding sensationalism. Ebola is a severe and often fatal disease that first emerged or was discovered in 1976 and has killed 90 of its victims in some past outbreaks. Since march of this year, there have been more than 1700 cases of ebola, including more than 900 fatalities in guinea, liberia, sierra leone, and nigeria. This time, the average fertility rate in this outbreak is estimated at 55 , ranging from 74 in guinea 242 in sierra leone. The disparity in mortality rates are partially linked to the capacity of governments to treat and contain the disease and perhaps per Capita Health expending by effective governments. There is also concern giving given modern air travel and the latency time of the disease that the virus will jump borders and threat lies elsewhere in africa and even here in the United States. In my own state of new jersey, and a hospital just a few hundred yards from my district office, precautions were taken. A person who had traveled from west africa Begin Manifesting symptoms including a high fever. He was put in isolation. Thankfully it was not ebola and the patient has been released. The new Jersey Health commissioner reiterated to me yesterday that new jersey hospitals have control programs in which they train and our deal ready to deal with infectious patients who come through their doors. She told me physicians and hospital workers follow specific protocols prescribed by the cdc on how to protect themselves as well as other patients and how to observe a patient if they have any concerns, which include protocols like managing a patient in isolation so they are not around others who are not appropriately protected. The commissioner also underscored that the federal government has u. S. Quarantine stations throughout the country to limit introduction to any disease that might come into the United States at words of entry like new jerseys Liberty International airport. I hope our distinguished witnesses will confirm whether sufficient resources are available and are being properly deployed to assist victims and contained the ebola disease. Are there gaps in law and policy that Congress Needs to address . To the government witnesses, my plea to you is that if legislation is needed, i will work and i know i will be joined by colleagues on both sides of the aisle who will work with you to write those new policies. Key symptoms of ebola include fever, weakness, joint, muscle throat and stomach aches. Then vomiting, diarrhea, rashes and bleeding. These symptoms are seen in other diseases besides ebola which make an accurate diagnosis early on uncertain. Earlier today, i had a full and lengthy reefing with the deputy chief of staff of the president of guinea. He said the virus has masked many other diseases, including loss of fever. Many doctors, including those who have never seen a bowl and is part of the world before, it has been in other parts of africa but not in west africa, just simply did not think this would be ebola. Many of them have died. Ebola punches holes in blood vessels by breaking down vessel walls, causes causing massive bleeding and shock. Most people cannot fight the infection effectively and as a result, there is massive leading within seven to 10 days. The infection too often results in the death of the affected person. Fruit that are suspected of being a primary transmitter of ebola to humans in west africa. The virus is transmitted to humans with close contact in the blood, secretions or other organs of infected animals. Some Health Workers such as the heroic american missionary aid workers contracted the disease despite taking every precaution while helping ebola patients. Both of them are now being treated at emory hospital in atlanta, georgia in an isolated unit after being flown to the u. S. In a specially equipped air ambulance. While there is no known cure for ebola, the doctors have been given doses of the next bear mental antivirus cocktail developed by san diego company. They are reportedly both feeling stronger after receiving the drug but it is considered too early to tell whether the drug itself caused the improvement in their conditions will stop the Pharmaceutical Company has been working with an arm of the responsible for hounding weapons of mass destruction to ebola to develop an ebola treatment for several years. The drug attaches to the virus itself and it has never been tested on humans before the two doctors who gave their consent to be the first human trials. There will be great hope that it works in the two americans who bravely agreed to test it and it has a positive effect. That would mean it would be produced in great quantities and sent to people in west africa. It is still an experimental drug. Those who use it might the given complete information on its use but thats something our experts i hope will address. Theres also Promising Research being done by a company who has come up with a drug and process one of the comments that has been made that it has never been tested on humans and that it has been provided 100 protection from an otherwise lethal dose of zaire ebola iris, but not zaire ebola virus, but not in humans. Unfortunately, it impacts the ability of the International Community and assisting the government to meet the self challenge. Some of the leading doctors in those countries have died treating ebola victims. The nongovernmental and american personnel there say they are besieged not only because they are among the lay medical personnel treating these exponentially spreading disease that because they are under suspicion by some people in these countries who are familiar with this disease and who are unfamiliar with this disease and fear doctors may have brought it with them. It is untrue and myths abound. The current outbreak as we know is unprecedented. Many people are not cooperating with efforts to contain the disease. There is an information gap. Despite the efforts through cell phone and radio to get the message out, there is a learning curve. As we consider what to do to meet this health challenge, i suggest we get funding levels for pandemic preparedness. This is for congress and the executive branch. In a restricted environment, funding has fallen from 201 million in fiscal year 2010 two an estimated in 2010. We must in short change follow efforts to save these people in this country. Our expert witness, tom frieden, is trying to assure the government we are doing what we can do to address the crisis. He announced the dispatch of 50 or more Public Health officials in the next 30 days. Who, the world bank him and many others are also joining in and trying to meet this crisis. To those who say we have no plan, i would say planning is definitely underway and is being done so aggressively. Still, there is much more that needs to be done. I have introduced legislation known as the and neglected tropical disease act which establishes to support a broad range of Research Activities to achieve costeffective and sustainable treatment and control and, where possible, the elimination of neglected tropical diseases. Ebola is not on the top list of 17 neglected tropical diseases but it does fit the definition of an infection caused by pathogens that is proportionally impact individuals living in extreme poverty, especially in developing countries. It ebola had been thought to be limited to areas where it could be contained. We know that is no longer true. We need to take seriously the effort to devise more effective means of addressing this and all neglected tropical diseases. I now yield to my good friend and colleague, the ranking member. Mr. Chairman, thank you for your leadership and calling todays emergency hearing to give us an opportunity to learn about and work to address the current Ebola Outbreak in west africa. I look forward to hearing directly from our witnesses on the work their agencies are doing to combat the deadly outbreak and how they have coordinated with the government of impacted countries. I appreciate their efforts at outreach to Keep Congress informed on this devastating situation. This outbreak comes as nearly 50 african heads of state join us here in washington dc this week as part of the first in history u. S. Africa Leaders Summit. I have been honored to join my african and american colleagues as we join together to reach the full capacity and promise of the african continent. We had several production sessions that further cemented the relationships between u. S. And african nations and highlighted opportunities for us to continue to Work Together. Despite the meaningful dialogue and collaboration that occurred this week, there is still work to be done. The development of Health Care Capacity and Global Security is just one area of collaboration for the u. S. And african nations. I was a little dismayed that with all the activities that happened this week around the summit, the crisis we are dealing with today is very important, but when it came to coverage on africa, the coverage centered solely around ebola. I want to commend the steps being taken by the government of liberia, sierra leone, nigeria and the u. S. And the great work of the Health Professionals throughout the world who are doing everything they can to help people who have contracted this awful disease will stop with over 1700 suspected and confirmed cases and over 900 deaths since march, the current outbreak is the longest lasting, widest spread, and deadliest outbreak recorded. Its also the first Ebola Outbreak in west africa and the first outbreak to be spreading in both rural areas and capital cities. The unique nature of this outbreak has made combating the disease difficult. West africa has not faced this disease before and immunities among governments and Health Care Professionals do not have the expertise and capacity to address the scale, spread, and proper treatment of the outbreak. This lack of logistical expertise, Health Care Workforce and supplies has hindered the ability of governments to identify, track and isolate new cases and properly care for those infected. Officials have had to fight against fear of the disease and culture the literal unfamiliarity with robert treatment which has really contribute to the spread and cap people from seeking care. Yesterday, i had the privilege to speak to president Ellen Johnson about the impact on her country and the work they have done to fight the disease. I asked what more we could be doing and one thing she talked about was the need for Logistical Support, the need for training of their Health Care Workforce so they would know how to prevent the disease. Im sure tom frieden is going to say we do know how to prevent the spread of the disease but that is where our efforts need to be directed. The other thing the president said was the problem with the outbreak is all the resources are centered toward the outbreak and then routine medical care has suffered because there has not been the workforce to be able to handle both will stop so the call for increased International Assistance to provide food and water to impacted communities she said the communities that were most heavily impacted were quarantined and that there needed to be food and water brought into the areas, especially in situations like this where you have a concern civil unrest, there could be an outbreak in areas that are quarantined and feel they do not have access. She felt that was one of the ways the United States could help the best. Its in our interest in the world interests to continue to support nations as they fight this outbreak and work to develop. Health care is a human right. Were hoping to prevent future Health Epidemics from occurring. Both the chairman and i have introduced legislation to respond to this crisis and i look forward to your testimonies. Im interested in hearing from all of you about what more congress can do to assist your efforts to combat the disease, outbreaks, and support International Efforts to improve Health Care Systems around the world. Thank you very much. I would like to recognize in the audience the special representative to the secretarygeneral of the u. N. On Sexual Violence in conflict. Thank you for joining us today. I would like to now yield to the distinguished chairman of the state department, commerce and Justice Department subcommittee of the appropriations committee, congressman frank wolf, who has had a 34 year career of tremendous support for the weakest and most vulnerable, and a matter of fact, the genesis of this hearing was a conversation with ken isaacs last week. We were planning on a hearing on the ebola virus force number and the sense of urgency and chairman wolf set up the conference call, the sense of urgency was so great that the thought was it that are now and we can have more hearings in the future and more action plans and the like. So i would like to thank the chairman for his tireless efforts on behalf of the weekend vulnerable. Week and vulnerable. I like to thank my good friend for pulling todays hearing together amid the escalating outbreak of ebola across west africa, countries including liberia, sierra leone, and now nigeria. Although im not a member, i do serve on the state and foreign operations appropriations subcommittee which funds the state department and foreign aid programs. I would also say to the witnesses that if you need extra money, ask for reprogramming. You should not wait for september, october you should ask for it immediately and him confident the appropriate committees will allow it. But if there is any doubt, there should be request for reprogramming. The current ebola epidemic has claimed over 900 people. It was detected earlier this year and is proving to be the worlds worst outbreak of the virus ever recorded. It now appears this alarming, contagious disease could be on the verge of spreading. On july 28, i received a call from ken isaacs. Let me say samaritans purse and Doctors Without Borders have done more to help the poor and suffering in many faces than almost any other groups around. So i want to commend samaritans purse and Doctors Without Borders. Wherever you go in africa, they will either one other groups have long gone. Samaritans purse is on the front line, working to curtail the Ebola Outbreak. The outlook via absence of the United States was bleak. The Obama Administration underestimated the magnitude and scope of the epidemic. Despite wellintentioned efforts by local and International Aid workers, actors and nurses working on the ground,