{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://web.archive.org/web/20141030154752/http://goodlatte.house.gov/press_releases/601", "GOODLATTE SEEKS ANSWERS ON EBOLA RESPONSE", "2014-10-16", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "GOODLATTE SEEKS ANSWERS ON EBOLA RESPONSE \n                      \n                      \tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Bob Goodlatte sent a letter today to Dr. Tom Frieden, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Jeh Johnson, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Anthony Foxx, Secretary of the Department of Transportation, seeking answers on the Obama Administration\u2019s \u201cwhole of government\u201d response to the Ebola outbreak.\u00a0\n                      \n                      \tBelow is the text of the letter.\n                      \n                      \t\u201cDear Director Frieden, Secretary Johnson, and Secretary Foxx:\n                      \n                      \t\u201cI write to share my concern regarding the United States\u2019 \u2018whole of government\u2019 response to the Ebola outbreak. \u00a0While it is important to keep perspective on the outbreak overseas, cases of Ebola now perpetuating in the continental United States is of extreme concern. \u00a0\n                      \n                      \t\u201cTo date, no travel restrictions have been placed on individuals traveling to the United States from affected West African countries. \u00a0In light of this current position, I would appreciate answers to the following questions:\n                      \n                      \t\u201c\u2022 \u00a0 Why are there so few advanced screening sites in the continental United States to screen international travelers? \u00a0\n                      \n                      \t\u201c\u2022 \u00a0 Given that the only domestic acquired cases of Ebola have been in Dallas, Texas, why have we not been screening individuals flying in and out of Dallas, Texas?\n                      \n                      \t\u201c\u2022 \u00a0 Specifically, what additional steps are being taken to reach out to U.S. hospitals given media reports that the lack of training and/or supplies in Dallas, Texas contributed to the spread of Ebola to additional individuals?\n                      \n                      \t\u201c\u2022 \u00a0 Why are individuals who have come into contact with an afflicted individual being allowed to fly domestically? \u00a0Reports that Amber Vinson contacted the CDC prior to flying, but was given the 'okay' to fly are deeply concerning. \u00a0\n                      \n                      \t\u201c\u2022 \u00a0 It is my understanding that travel restrictions are only placed on healthcare workers who have cared for Ebola patients if it is determined that safety protocols during that care were not followed. \u00a0However, with additional cases of Ebola presenting themselves in Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital nurses, are these safety protocols, as a measure for travel safety, being reviewed?\u00a0\n                      \n                      \t\u201cToday, I sent a letter to President Obama urging him to use the authority granted to him in the Immigration and Nationality Act to \u2018prohibit foreign nationals who were recently present in an Ebola-ravaged country from entering the United States.\u2019 I reiterate that message to you as well. \u00a0While reforms to our domestic handling of Ebola in the United States are necessary, and we need to address many concerns, including those I have outlined above, our \u2018whole of government\u2019 approach to this situation should include travel restrictions for certain individuals attempting to come to the United States after being in Guinea, Liberia, and/or Sierra Leone.\u00a0\n                      \n                      \t\u201cI look forward to hearing from you on this important matter.\u201d\n                      \n                      \tNOTE: Earlier today, Congressman Goodlatte also sent a letter to President Obama calling on him to use the authority granted to him by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act to temporarily ban foreign nationals who were recently in an Ebola-ravaged country from traveling to the United States.", 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/20141030154752/http://goodlatte.house.gov/press_releases/601"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.91934809461236, "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"}