(USATODAY) — WASHINGTON – Top Republicans on congressional committees are calling for a travel ban from West Africa to curb the spread of Ebola, but federal health officials oppose a ban because it would hinder treatment and put Americans more at risk.
Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, head of the Homeland Security Committee, with his Republican subcommittee chairmen, called Wednesday on the Department of Homeland Security to suspend visas issued to people from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
Rep. Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania, chairman of the House transportation committee, and Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the ranking member of the Senate transportation committee, said Wednesday that airline networks could become conduits for dangerous disease.
“We believe a temporary travel ban for such individuals who live in or have traveled from certain West African countries is reasonable and timely,” Shuster and Thune said in a joint statement.
