Jeff Bingaman: “In the bill before us, we have $200 million for the Millennium Challenge Account that the administration says they…”

“In the bill before us, we have $200 million for the Millennium Challenge Account that the administration says they cannot spend in 2004. They do not plan to spend it. They did not request it. The House gave the administration $800 million for the Millennium Challenge Account. We are giving them $1 billion. My amendment would say let's give them the same amount the House is proposing to give them, the $800 million, and let's take that extra $200 million and use that in the fight against HIV/AIDS. It is a much better use of the funds than just putting it in an account for possible use in 2005. I urge the adoption of the amendment.”