Tom Harkin: “I thank the Senator for accepting an amendment for the managers' package that deals with making sure we have something…”

“I thank the Senator for accepting an amendment for the managers' package that deals with making sure we have something in the criteria for the Millennium Challenge Account, assistance dealing with people with disabilities. Basically, the amendment makes a small but significant change to the Millennium Challenge Account ensuring that one criteria used in determining a country's eligibility for the Millennium Challenge Account funds is their commitment to providing opportunities for the inclusion of people with disabilities. This account represents one of the largest increases in foreign aid spending in half a century, about $1 billion this year and an additional $4 billion within the next 3 years. People with disabilities have been left out of our foreign assistance programs for too long. This amendment does not require they do anything new. Since 1996, over 100 countries, including the United States, have submitted reports to the United Nations under implementation of 22 rules to equalize opportunities for people with disabilities. President Bush has implemented a new freedom initiative in this country on behalf of people with disabilities. In 2001, he charged each agency with reviewing their policies to remove barriers that promote inclusion of people with disabilities in American society. I commend and I compliment President Bush for taking this step. This amendment takes this initiative and extends it basically to our foreign assistance programs.”