Iowa Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley, who is currently locked in a tight Senate race, used a Congressional hearing about Ebola on Thursday to critique the Obama administration’s response to the outbreak.
“I am greatly concerned...that the administration did not act fast enough in responding in Texas,” Braley said.
Braley took a break from the campaign trail to return to Washington for the hearing. He is waging a hotly contested campaign against Republican Joni Ernst, who on Wednesday released a statement critical of the White House response to Ebola.
The disease is shaping up to be an issue in this year’s midterm elections, though most Americans feel the country is prepared for a possible outbreak. Republican Rep. Cory Gardner, running for Senate in Colorado, also returned for the hearing.
White House press secretary Josh Earnest responded to Braley’s critique, saying the congressman “is somebody who has the reputation of being willing to speak truth to power whether they are in his same party or not.”
IN-DEPTH
- Ebola Is a Midterm Issue, and It's Not Helping Democrats
- Most Say U.S. Is Prepared for Possible Ebola Outbreak, Poll Shows
- CDC Director Grilled on Ebola Mistakes
-- Andrew Rafferty
