Focus on the Science, Chris Smith, Not Conspiracy Theories

Lyme disease touched my family, like so many other families in CD 4 and around New Jersey. My child's treatment caused a frightening allergic reaction. Addressing the allergic reaction delayed treatment. It was an anxious time for our family. As I tried to understand the impact of this tick-borne disease, I became aware of the Lyme-related legislation that Congressman Smith has authored over the last few decades. I was stunned to realize that my Congressman has focused his considerable attention on investigating the possibility that Lyme disease is actually designed to be a weapon rather than fully funding clinical trials to eradicate this disease.

The budget set in June 2019 by the House Lyme Disease Caucus includes $60 million over five years to reauthorize the Regional Centers of Excellence in Vector Borne Disease, but an undisclosed portion of that money is dedicated to investigating conspiracy theory-level fascination with weaponizing ticks, rather than focusing all of the Caucus’ efforts on disease cure and prevention. It is unclear from the text of HR 3037 or amendment 116-19 authored by the Congressman what proportion of the appropriated money is dedicated to the investigation by the Inspector General of the Department of Defense to “conduct a review of whether the Department of Defense experimented with ticks and other insects regarding use as a biological weapon between the years of 1950 and 1975.”

According to the CDC, between 2004 and 2016, the number of people in the United States affected by tick-borne illnesses doubled. People across the country experience loss of productivity, irreparable neurological damage, and other negative long-term health and economic effects. As a resident of CD 4, I am incensed that any money appropriated for Lyme treatment research is diverted to the Department of Defense in support of the Congressman’s conspiracy theory. Congressman Smith is complicit in the underfunding of research that is focused on the treatment and prevention of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. He is the Co-Chair of the House Lyme Disease Caucus, a powerful position that he underutilizes. He has had nearly 40 years to exhibit bold leadership to positively affect the lives of everyone in the United States, but he hasn’t stepped up to the challenge. It’s time to elect someone who will. Stephanie Schmid believes we all do better as a society when we are healthy. She will fight for that human right every day.