{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://www.shelby.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=fb5bb498-27e7-4499-bc32-adac0d9dfec7", "Shelby Statement at Full Committee Hearing on Ebola Outbreak", "2014-11-12", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Richard Shelby", "S000320", "www.shelby.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC, Wednesday, November 12, 2014 \u2013 U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today delivered opening remarks at a Full Committee hearing on the U.S. Government response to the Ebola outbreak.\r\nThe full text of Shelby\u2019s remarks, as prepared, is below. \u00a0\u00a0\r\nThank you Madam Chair.\r\nToday, we will discuss the administration\u2019s $6 billion request to address the Ebola outbreak, both domestically and in West Africa.\r\nGiven the size of the request, the slow progress in detailing plans for how the money will be spent, and some of the missteps made so far, it deserves our careful oversight and scrutiny.\r\nAs we have seen in recent weeks, the vast majority of American health care professionals have little to no experience with this virus.\u00a0 Therefore, the appearance of the disease on our shores can have devastating consequences for our health care system and our society at large.\u00a0\r\nConsequently, it is the fundamental responsibility of the federal government to respond effectively to this crisis.\u00a0 Every prudent step must be taken to protect the American people.\r\nInstead of an effective response, however, what we have witnessed these past few months from various agencies has been confusing and at times contradictory.\r\nFor example, the CDC\u2019s guidance to hospitals has been a moving target.\u00a0 This uncertainty may have exposed health care professionals to unnecessary risks.\r\nThe administration has also sent mixed messages on the issue of quarantine.\u00a0 While the President has discouraged strict quarantine rules, Defense Secretary Hagel has prudently put in place a 21-day mandatory quarantine for troops returning from West Africa.\r\nIn addition, the administration did not call for enhanced airport screenings for travelers entering the U.S. from West Africa until months after the epidemic became severe.\u00a0 It still remains to be seen whether these cursory screenings will be effective.\r\nNot surprisingly, Americans have been frustrated by the lack of clarity and coordination within their government.\u00a0\r\nEven though the President has named a so-called Ebola \u201cczar\u201d to coordinate our response, all reports indicate that he has no actual authority to direct government agencies.\r\nFrom the beginning of this outbreak, the administration has appeared to be preparing for only the best-case scenario.\u00a0 Competent crisis planning, however, must include contingencies for the worst-case scenario as well.\r\nTherefore, we should not rule out any reasonable options to prevent the reintroduction of Ebola in the U.S., including travel and visa restrictions.\r\nIf the history of disease outbreaks has taught us anything, it is that things can change quickly and without warning.\u00a0 Therefore, our federal agencies must be ready to aggressively implement a clear and organized strategy.\r\nIt is my hope that today\u2019s witnesses can assure this committee that the President has a plan and that the funds he has requested are necessary to execute it.\r\nThank you.\r\n###", 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": ["http://www.shelby.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=fb5bb498-27e7-4499-bc32-adac0d9dfec7"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.496440963819623, "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"}