Nita Lowey: “I thank the chairman and I want to assure my good friend, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez), that I share the…”

“I thank the chairman and I want to assure my good friend, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez), that I share the gentleman's commitment to working with you to increase the dollars for Latin America because we realize how critical this is. The committee's recommendation to increase both the Child Survival and Development Assistance accounts by a combined total of $328 million above the President's request was in large part meant to restore cuts made to Latin American countries. In addition, the committee report as cited by the chairman contains specific directive language mandating that the Agency For International Development restore cuts made to Central American countries when the FY 2005 operating plans are developed.”