U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the administration's response to an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo during a Capitol Hill hearing.
The testimony highlights a growing political divide over how the U.S. manages global health crises and whether domestic response capabilities have been compromised.
During the hearings held May 19-20, 2026, Democratic lawmakers questioned the coordination of the U.S. effort. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-FL) said, "The Trump administration has dismantled key Ebola response capabilities and blocked specialized treatment facilities for infected Americans."
Rubio countered these assertions by comparing the current timeline to previous crises. He said the response is faster than it was in 2014 and noted that the U.S. has committed more than $200 million [1] in assistance.
As part of the aid package, the U.S. pledged funding for 50 treatment centers [4] in the DRC. However, Rubio shifted some accountability to international bodies. He said, "The WHO was a little late in identifying the deadly Ebola outbreak."
The outbreak has spread across the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. As of May 20, 2026, reports indicated 134 deaths [2] in the DRC. The number of suspected cases in the region is estimated to be more than 500 [3].
While the administration emphasizes the speed of its current mobilization, critics argue that the removal of specialized facilities leaves the U.S. vulnerable. The disagreement centers on whether financial pledges, and rapid deployment, can replace the permanent infrastructure that existed in previous decades.
“"The Trump administration has dismantled key Ebola response capabilities..."”
The tension between the U.S. executive branch and Congress reflects a broader debate over global health security. By criticizing the World Health Organization, the administration signals a preference for bilateral aid and rapid-response funding over reliance on multilateral health institutions, even as the death toll rises in Central Africa.
