{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://web.archive.org/web/20141024001215/http://www.vitter.senate.gov/newsroom/press/vitter-asks-air-force-for-protocol-on-disinfecting-planes-from-africa", "Vitter Asks Air Force for Protocol on Disinfecting Planes From Africa", "2014-10-17", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "LA", "David Vitter", "V000127", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Vitter Asks Air Force for Protocol on Disinfecting Planes From Africa\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, October 17, 2014\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t(Metairie, La.) \u2013 U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) today sent a letter to the U.S. Air Force asking questions about their protocol for disinfecting air craft that have been in parts of Africa contaminated with the Ebola virus. Vitter was recently contacted by a constituent in the United States Air Force (USAF) who was given an order to clean and disinfect aircraft that are returning from Africa. However, their squadron has zero training with Ebola or relevant procedures in place to handle this type of event.\n\u201cThe Administration\u2019s response to the Ebola threat has been nothing short of pathetic. People are downright scared that this virus could enter the U.S. more widespread than it already has. We need to have an administration wide \u2013 full strategic plan on how to make sure it doesn\u2019t spread. That includes all our Military branches,\u201d wrote Vitter.\nBelow is the text of Vitter\u2019s letter.\nOctober 17, 2014\nGeneral Mark Welsh  Chief of Staff  1670 Air Force Pentagon  Washington, DC 20330\nThe Honorable Deborah Lee James  Secretary of the Air Force  1670 Air Force Pentagon  Washington, DC 20330\nDear Secretary James and General Welsh:\nThe Administration\u2019s response to the Ebola threat has been nothing short of pathetic. People are downright scared that this virus could enter the U.S. more widespread than it already has. We need to have an administration wide and full strategic plan on how to make sure it doesn\u2019t spread. That includes all our Military branches. Last week my office received a DOD briefing on the military role in the Ebola response, and I was assured that all necessary precautions were being taken to ensure our service members were being adequately protected.\nUnfortunately, I have been presented with evidence that there are flaws within the ongoing operations. I have recently been contacted by a constituent in the United States Air Force (USAF) who was given an order to clean and disinfect aircraft that are returning from Africa. However, their squadron has zero training with Ebola or relevant procedures in place to handle this type of event. The Air Force needs to be far more cautious than this. This type of carelessness is unacceptable.\nSurely the Air Force has squadrons who are trained and equipped to probably disinfect air craft that may have been in contact with the virus. If not, that should be an immediate priority.\nPlease respond immediately to the following five questions:\n1. Does the USAF have squadrons that have had the necessary training to deal with contaminated aircraft?  2. Are untrained airmen being ordered to complete a life-threatening task without proper training and necessary protection?   3. What is the Air Force doing to ensure that maintenance troops receive thorough and expert training to effectively decontaminate these planes and more importantly, protect themselves from exposure to this deadly virus?   4. What measures have been put into place so these airmen will not expose their families and other persons in in the U.S. or at any of our military bases around the world?   5. What measures have been implemented by USAF to train and protect our military members, their families, and those who support our operations at all of our bases?  6. Does the Air Force have necessary protocols and authorities for mandatory leave time to accommodate the required DOD quarantine time when service members return from the field?\nAll of our military branches need to be incredibly cautious to ensure this public health risk does not escalate. Your assistance in this time-sensitive and urgent matter is appreciated.\nSincerely,\nDavid Vitter  United States Senate\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141024001215/http://www.vitter.senate.gov/newsroom/press/vitter-asks-air-force-for-protocol-on-disinfecting-planes-from-africa"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5058191493153572, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}