Florida Sen. Marco Rubio announced his intentions Monday to ban those traveling from countries stricken with Ebola to the Untied States.
Once the Senate returns to session next month, the Republican plans to introduce legislation to create a temporary ban on new visas for nationals of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, his office announced.
“We must take any and all necessary precautions to contain this virus — and common sense restrictions on travel from countries now confronting this epidemic is an important step,” Rubio said in a statement. “The most effective way to combat this deadly virus is to address it at its source.”
Only when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention certify the outbreak has been contained would the ban be lifted, Rubio’s office said.
Numerous Republicans and some Democrats have been calling for a travel ban to the West African countries dealing with disease, though federal health officials have staunchly opposed the idea.
