Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., pointed to “rampant illegal immigration” as the reason behind measles outbreaks in parts of the country during a tense exchange with CBS News host Margaret Brennan.
Donalds, who is running to become Florida’s next governor, made the argument during a Sunday appearance on “Face the Nation” after Brennan questioned him about immunization rates in Florida.
Brennan noted that nearly all of Florida is below the 95% immunization rate associated with herd immunity for measles before asking Donalds whether his message to parents would be to vaccinate their children.
Donalds instead turned his attention to immigration.
“No, actually my message to Floridians and quite frankly, to Americans, is, the reason we have seen a measles outbreak in certain parts of the country is because of rampant illegal immigration into the United States from the previous administration,” Donalds said.
As Donalds began referencing the period before former President Joe Biden took office, Brennan interrupted to challenge his assertion.
“What evidence do you have of that?” Brennan asked.
Donalds responded by pointing to outbreaks in El Paso, Texas, southwest Florida, where he lives, and other areas. He argued that people who entered the United States illegally had not necessarily followed vaccination schedules.
Donalds specifically distinguished between vaccines that he said some parents have concerns about today and earlier vaccines for diseases including measles, mumps and rubella.
Brennan then pressed Donalds on whether he wanted those individuals vaccinated.
“So, you want them to be vaccinated?” she asked.
Donalds responded that controlling immigration should be the first priority.
“The key thing is, well, number one, you gotta control immigration into your country,” Donalds said.
The Florida Republican argued that the United States could not allow an entire group of more than 10 million people to enter without having followed a vaccination schedule, saying that such circumstances can result in outbreaks.
“That’s how you end up having some of these outbreaks,” Donalds said.
But Donalds did not stay focused exclusively on vaccines and immigration. He quickly shifted the conversation toward health care costs, an issue he said he wants to prioritize if elected Florida governor.
Donalds said vaccines could be discussed, but argued that the “real issue in health care” is what Americans and Floridians are paying.
He specifically blamed the regulatory framework of the Affordable Care Act for increasing costs.
“We have already seen that the regulatory framework of the Affordable Care Act is driving up costs on every American,” Donalds said.
The gubernatorial candidate concluded by saying that reducing those costs is what he intends to remain focused on as he campaigns to become Florida’s next governor.
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