Senator Bill Nelson wants to suspend travel from some countries in West Africa affected by Ebola.
Nelson met with Customs officials at Orlando International Airport on Wednesday to try and gain support for the ban.Nelson asked Secretary of State John Kerry to stop issuing new visas to citizens of three countries in West Africa. Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia have the highest rates of Ebola, according to the CDC.
The travel ban would coincide with other efforts – like passenger screenings - to prevent the spread of the disease to the U.S.
“It seems to me that temporarily suspending the issuance of visas from the areas is the thing to do and then if there is a necessary case for a visa that could be handled in a case-by-case basis", Nelson reasoned.
Humanitarian workers would not be blocked by the proposed plan.
Earlier this week a white house spokesman said the administration would not consider a travel ban.