Leaders of congressional committees dealing with health issues crossed party lines and chambers to urge other U.S. lawmakers to recognize the importance and safety of FDA-approved vaccines. A "dear colleague" letter – signed by Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Reps. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Michael Burgess (R-Texas) and Gene Green (D-Texas) – highlighted the life-saving history of vaccines and recent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.