Elijah Cummings: “as we consider the D.C. appropriations bill, let us not forget our ongoing battle with one of the deadliest diseases…”

“as we consider the D.C. appropriations bill, let us not forget our ongoing battle with one of the deadliest diseases affecting more than 40 million persons worldwide: AIDS. In our Nation alone the number of new cases each year remains at 40,000, making this a leading cause of death. We have an obligation to act. We have seen substantial increases in Federal funding for research, education and treatment. The Congressional Black Caucus, working with the White House, secured $251 million in funds for programs in minority communities. Government-wide AIDS spending is estimated at $10 billion in fiscal year 2000. Progress has been made, but we must do more. Current research has determined that needle exchange programs, which I support, help curtail infection rates by more than 10 percent. This deadly infectious disease cannot be allowed to spread unchecked. Vote against amendments to the D.C. bill that threaten this principle.”