Republicans, concerned about dairy industry, urge calm about H5N1 bird flu – STAT
WASHINGTON Republican lawmakers have one big message on the avian flu outbreak in cows: Calm down.
As the H5N1 strain hops from birds to more than 36 dairy farms in nine states, both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have pressed the Biden administration for quick and clear information on the risks for dairy cows and, potentially, people. But even as new tests show pasteurized milk is safe and agriculture officials impose testing regimens for interstate cattle moves, Republicans have another burgeoning concern that alarm means harm for the dairy industry.
The issue I have is, because its been talked about emotionally, people may respond to that, said Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. I just point to the swine flu [outbreak in 2009] that had nothing to do with hogs [but] had a significant negative impact on the hog industry.
There has been one reported transmission of the current H5N1 strain to a farm worker, in Texas. Scientists and federal officials have said that while viral fragments in pasteurized milk do not appear harmful, raw milk popular in states like Thompsons, where it is legally sold could still pose a threat.
My concern is [the Biden administration is] going to be using this for more fear porn, said Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), a vocal critic of the administrations response to another infectious disease crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic. His state, Wisconsin, has reported H5N1 cases in birds but not cows.
Republicans insist they are not dismissing initiatives to bolster infectious disease resources, at least among livestock. Thompsons committee on Wednesday released an outline for its renewal of the expansive Farm Bill, which allows oversight and support for agricultural programs that include the dairy industry, now in the throes of new testing and surveillance demands.
The bill summary says it brings together provisions related to livestock health and management, foreign animal disease preparedness. Thompson told STAT that these efforts predated the H5N1 outbreak, but that he is also separately pushing for more funds to back up the initiatives.
Basically, were trying to double what we invest in terms of the trifecta of animal health, or research, infrastructure, and personnel, he told STAT on Tuesday. That would be a roughly $2 billion investment through the budget process that he said has broad support.
The Farm Bill is scheduled for a May 23 markup by Thompsons committee, its first step towards passage; a new federal budget, on the other hand, is on a distant horizon. In the meantime, state health officials and farm workers have already expressed concerns about keeping up with new federal testing requirements for dairy cows.
Scientists and even some Democrats say that testing, and the federal governments information-sharing, have been too limited to get a clear picture of the H5N1 risk for other cows and potentially humans.
Some were left shocked when the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month released data showing that cases among cows were more widespread than previously thought, and that viral fragments were found in milk.
The basic question here is why wasnt more done to prevent this? Once this moves into cattle, potentially pigs, all this is increasing the chances for it to be contagious in humans, said Nigel Sizer, executive director of a network of scientific research and advocacy organizations, Preventing Pandemics at the Source.
Stephen Ostroff, a former FDA deputy commissioner for food and veterinary medicine, also voiced concerns about how widespread testing truly is, and the lack of clear public communication about risks.
Its very reminiscent of the early stages of Covid, when we were flying a little bit blind, because we simply didnt have sufficient testing capacity to be able to know exactly who was infected, said Ostroff. The lack of context for it is really a challenge. How many samples were tested? Where were they from?
Democrats from dairy-laden states are also calling for a federal action plan to aid farmers struggling to isolate and test herds.
The federal government has to step up to help our dairy farmers and producers weather and combat this outbreak, stop the spread of this virus, and ensure consumers know what is being done to keep them safe, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) said in a letter to agriculture officials Thursday.
But at least for now, Republicans are urging Americans to not panic.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the highest ranking Republican on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, in April asked federal health and agriculture officials for committee briefings on the bird flu developments.
He told STAT on Tuesday that he texted CDC Director Mandy Cohen directly and they are trying to set up a briefing, and she stressed that its not spread to humans.
Cassidy admitted hed like to have more information about potential risks, but it seems like they are appropriately monitoring it.
See more here:
Republicans, concerned about dairy industry, urge calm about H5N1 bird flu - STAT
- Republicans outraged over possible assassination attempt: They are going to keep trying to kill Trump - POLITICO - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Why House Republicans still cant manage to fund the government - The Washington Post - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Republicans are Losing the Vote-By-Mail Battle in Court - Democracy Docket - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Out-of-touch Republicans get shocking dose of reality in abortion stories - MSNBC - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Half dozen House Republicans break with Trump in vow to accept 2024 election results - Axios - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Trump endorsed more Republicans in 2024 than ever before - ABC News - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Republicans schedule hearing blitz aimed at Harris - E&E News by POLITICO - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Republicans for Harris Keeps Expanding With the Help of Ex-Reagan Staffers - Mother Jones - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Republicans drive efforts to block civil rights protections against pollution - Environmental Health News - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Why House Republicans Are Targeting China Weeks Before the Election - The New York Times - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Fairfax County Republicans make push to get more people to sign up for absentee ballots. Why that matters. - Cardinal News - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Republicans cut into early voting to sweeten conditions for Trump - MSNBC - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Republicans break with Trump, back Fed ahead of rate cut - POLITICO - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- The Republicans who stood up to Trump after the 2020 election - NPR - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Kamala Harriss endorsements show Republicans may be paying the price for their newfound anti-business rhetoric - Fortune - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Republicans call to boost security for Trump after second assassination attempt - Fox Baltimore - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Letters to the Editor: Taylor Swift should remember that Republicans buy her music too - Los Angeles Times - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Most Republicans Think Trump's 'Eating the Pets' Debate Remarks Are 'Weird' - Newsweek - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Full List of Republicans Vowing to Certify 2024 Election Results - Newsweek - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- How Republicans became the party of raunch - Vox.com - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Yes, New York, there are pro-choice Republicans. I'm one of them - The Journal News - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Republicans Need to Take a Stand on Abortion - National Review - August 27th, 2024 [August 27th, 2024]
- Texas Republicans accused of intimidation after raiding homes over voter fraud claims - The Guardian US - August 27th, 2024 [August 27th, 2024]
- Colorado Republicans remove party chair after his email attacking LGBTQ people, call for Pride flag to be burned - CBS Colardo - August 27th, 2024 [August 27th, 2024]
- Colorado Republicans vote to oust Dave Williams as state party chair, but he rejects meeting as 'illegal' - coloradopolitics.com - August 27th, 2024 [August 27th, 2024]
- With eyes on November, Colorado Republicans keep voting against certifying elections - USA TODAY - August 27th, 2024 [August 27th, 2024]
- Tim Walz posed with two different dogs but Republicans think he's lying: Viral post - The Times of India - August 27th, 2024 [August 27th, 2024]
- Here are the Republicans that spoke at the 2024 DNC in Chicago - NBC Chicago - August 27th, 2024 [August 27th, 2024]
- Second District Republicans to decide whether to back Joe Teirab after primary win - Star Tribune - August 27th, 2024 [August 27th, 2024]
- As Republicans flail from one stupid jackass thing to another, Harris strives to define vision - The Guardian US - August 27th, 2024 [August 27th, 2024]
- Republicans push country over party at the DNC. Will it move the needle? - Spectrum News NY1 - August 27th, 2024 [August 27th, 2024]
- Republicans Have Their Own Version of the Just Transition for Trade - National Review - August 27th, 2024 [August 27th, 2024]
- A new era for Republicans: Balancing womens rights and the right to life - The Hill - August 27th, 2024 [August 27th, 2024]
- Are Republicans losing the culture wars? - POLITICO - August 24th, 2024 [August 24th, 2024]
- Opinion | Republicans Are Right: One Party Is Anti-Family and Anti-Kid - The New York Times - August 24th, 2024 [August 24th, 2024]
- Opinion | Republicans Better Get on the Ball - The Wall Street Journal - August 24th, 2024 [August 24th, 2024]
- Opinion | Republicans and Democrats agree: Its all about Trump - The Washington Post - August 24th, 2024 [August 24th, 2024]
- Tim Miller goes off on Republicans not speaking up ahead of election: 'Where is Chris Christie?' - MSNBC - August 24th, 2024 [August 24th, 2024]
- Anti-Trump Republicans at DNC offer tips on approaching swing voters - Roll Call - August 24th, 2024 [August 24th, 2024]
- Opinion | How Democrats snatched freedom back from Trump and the Republicans - The Washington Post - August 24th, 2024 [August 24th, 2024]
- Brian Schimming on 2024 DNC impacts, attitude of Republicans - PBS Wisconsin - August 24th, 2024 [August 24th, 2024]
- These Republicans denounced Trump and endorsed Harris at the DNC. Here's what they said. - CBS News - August 24th, 2024 [August 24th, 2024]
- Republicans Are Being Weird to Kids at the 2024 DNC - Vanity Fair - August 24th, 2024 [August 24th, 2024]
- All Those Republicans Were at the DNC for a Reason - The Daily Beast - August 24th, 2024 [August 24th, 2024]
- Democrats Show That Republicans Arent the Only Ones Who Can Wrap Themselves in the Flag - The New York Times - August 24th, 2024 [August 24th, 2024]
- The Republicans who came out in force at DNC for Harris and ditched Trump - The Independent - August 24th, 2024 [August 24th, 2024]
- Your audience is filled with Republicans. The Democratic convention is underway. How to cover it? - The Associated Press - August 24th, 2024 [August 24th, 2024]
- The Democrats Are Destroying the Republicans at Their Own Game - The New Republic - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Republicans New, Dangerous Attempt to Break the Election - The Atlantic - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Republicans 'sick and tired of making excuses' for Trump should vote Harris, says GOP ex-Lt. Gov. of Georgia - CNBC - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Which Republicans are speaking at the DNC: See who will take the stage in Chicago - USA TODAY - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Opinion | How Walz and DNC speakers are appealing to independents and Republicans - The Washington Post - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Who are the anti-Trump Republicans showing up at the DNC? - Al Jazeera English - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- With primaries over, how did the 8 Republicans who helped oust McCarthy do? - The Washington Post - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Florida Republicans had their favorite in this legislative primary. Then Trump got involved. - POLITICO - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Your audience is filled with Republicans. The Democratic convention is underway. How to cover it? - Boston Herald - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Why protesters outside the DNC have far outnumbered those at the Republicans convention - NBC News - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Stephanie Grisham, John Giles and more: List of Republicans set to address 2024 DNC - NBC Chicago - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Republicans judicial oversight committee to subpoena witnesses, require oaths - Daily Montanan - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Democrats' chants of 'USA' at DNC strike fear into Republicans - MSNBC - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Opinion: Gutsy Republicans take stand at DNC - Lawrence Journal-World - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Arizona Republicans are so desperate, they want to rewrite election rules to win - The Arizona Republic - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Kamala Harris and Tim Walzs Secret Weapon Against the Republicans - The New Republic - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Republicans ask the Supreme Court to disenfranchise thousands of swing state voters - Vox.com - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Prominent Republicans supporting Harris will speak at the Democratic National Convention - NPR - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Republicans scrambled to get Cornel West on the Arizona ballot. The left-wing academic is OK with it - The Associated Press - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Its not just South Texas. Republicans are making gains with Latino voters in big cities, too. - The Texas Tribune - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- US House Republicans say Biden committed impeachable offenses - Reuters - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- John Oliver Begs Republicans to Stop Being So Fking Weird - Vanity Fair - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Why Iowa Republicans who once opposed Trump are ready to vote for him - CNN - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Here Are The Biggest DNC SpeakersBidens, Obamas, AOC And These Republicans - Forbes - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Republicans Will Weaponize Rural Suffering as Long as Democrats Ignore It - In These Times - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Republicans feel they need to rewrite history because they have no choice: author - MSNBC - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Washington County Democrats and Republicans open election headquarters - KFSM 5Newsonline - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Democrats Lean Into Liberty and the Language of Republicans - The New York Times - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Oregon Republicans opposed to ranked choice voting while Idahos GOP is split - Oregon Capital Chronicle - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- House Republicans target Democratic VP candidate Tim Walz with new investigation - Axios - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Former Minnesota GOP operative joins growing list of Republicans for Harris - MPR News - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Sour Grapes Republicans Say Biden Should Still Be Impeached - The Daily Beast - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Republicans launch Biden impeachment report - without proof - The Times of India - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]