Amo Leads Colleagues in Calling on State Department and CDC to Investigate the Death of a Russian Plague Laboratory Worker

October 16, 2026 Press Release Questions remain unanswered after the death of a Russian researcher who worked at a remote anti-plague facility Providence, RI – TODAY, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) led 6 colleagues in calling on Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Director Erica Schwartz to take swift action in response to the death of the Russian laboratory worker at the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and the Far East from a “pneumonia of undetermined origin.” The lawmakers write: “We urge you to take swift and thorough action in response to the death of the laboratory worker at the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and the Far East, including investigation and surveillance to understand the possible spread of infection. Conflicting reports regarding the cause of death, the quarantine of individuals who may have been exposed, and the institute’s work with plague and other dangerous pathogens warrant scrutiny by the United States government.” “We are increasingly alarmed that President Donald Trump’s dangerous decision to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO) has made it more difficult for the U.S. to receive information from Russia and coordinate with our international partners in responding to this incident.” “Infectious diseases do not stop at borders, and fear and inaction from uncertainty can itself become a public-health risk. The State Department and the CDC must act now to get the facts, use every available channel to assess the threat, prepare the United States for any potential spread, and keep Congress and the American people informed.” The full letter can be found here. The letter was signed by Representative Gabe Amo (D-RI-01) , Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30), William Keating (D-MA-09), Stephen Lynch (D-MA-08), Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), and Dina Titus (D-NV-01). Background As Vice-Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Amo has consistently fought to protect American global health programs, save lives abroad, and keep Americans healthy and safe. In August, Congressman Amo led 137 Members of Congress in a letter demanding that the Trump administration release international affairs funding, including Global Health Programs funding, before its expiration and stop proposed changes to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). In July, Amo led a Democratic effort on the House floor to stop Trump’s dangerous disinvestment in diplomacy and global health in the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2027. In June, Congressman Amo led 76 colleagues in a letter demanding answers about delays in detecting and responding to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda after the Trump administration reduced global health funding, staffing, and internal coordination. ###