New: As Lethal Measles Outbreak Grows, Texas Democrats Demand Greg Abbott, Donald Trump, And RFK Jr. Declare An Emergency
AUSTIN, Texas —There have been 146 confirmed cases of measles in Texas, rising day by day—overwhelmingly affecting unvaccinated people. The outbreak began in West Texas, but is spreading at an alarming rate throughout the state. The first measles-related death in the United States in a decade was a school aged child—yet Texas Republicans refuse to act. This is an evolving public health crisis, yet Greg Abbott, Donald Trump, RFK Jr., and Texas Republicans like John Cornyn have failed to address the emergency unfolding in our state. Even Ted Cruz, who never misses a chance to rant on his podcasts, has remained silent. This is yet another damning example of the incompetence and negligence of Texas' GOP leaders in a time of crisis.
Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa released the following statement:
“Measles was declared eradicated in the United States in 2000 thanks to vaccines, but RFK Jr.’s dangerous views on vaccines as HHS Secretary has undone years of progress. No stranger to measles outbreaks, RFK Jr. during a bizarre cabinet meeting overseen by Elon Musk casually dismissed the outbreak as “not unusual.” Now, with the number of cases rising, and days after a child has died from measles, Greg Abbott has tweeted more about his school voucher scam instead of protecting Texans- we deserve better.
“The Texas Democratic Party demands that Donald Trump, RFK Jr., Greg Abbott, and Texas Republicans immediately declare a public health emergency in response to the growing measles outbreak. Declaring a public health emergency would mobilize federal and state resources, expand vaccination efforts, increase public awareness, and enable swift action to contain the measles outbreak before it spreads further. We watched as Republicans responded to Covid-19 by dismissing science, ignoring public health precautions, and pushing dangerous, unproven remedies—and we refuse to let them repeat the same failures. Enough with the negligence—this is a public health emergency, and it demands action.”
Background:
Measles Outbreak in Texas
146 confirmed cases of measles in Texas, including the first measles-related death in a decade.
This outbreak comes despite the United States declaring measles eradicated in 2000, thanks to vaccines.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a history of spreading misinformation about measles and vaccines.
RFK Jr. has been partially blamed for a deadly measles outbreak in Samoa, raising serious concerns about his role in public health policy.
Texas Republicans’ Twitter Obsession
Instead of addressing the outbreak, Greg Abbott has spent the last few weeks responding to Rep. James Talarico and anyone else criticizing his school voucher scheme.
Earlier this year, Greg Abbott again announced on Twitter that there would be no mask mandates in Texas.
Republicans Response to Covid-19
Donald Trump knowingly downplayed the severity of the Covid-19 pandemic despite being fully aware of the dangers.
Trump pushed dangerous, unproven remedies—including suggesting the injection of bleach and promoting unproven therapies and drugs.
Greg Abbott fought against mask mandates, contracted Covid-19 himself, and still worked to ban vaccine mandates.
Ted Cruz attacked Sesame Street for promoting vaccines.
Texans Deserve Better
While Texas faces a growing public health crisis, Republican leaders are busy attacking critics and pushing their billionaire-backed agenda.
The Texas Democratic party has called on our leaders in emergencies before, calling on them to skip the RNC to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.
Texans need real leadership—not neglect, deflection, or political theater while lives are on the line.
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