Nita Lowey: “I do support this amendment because the amendment would add $300 million to the Child Survival Account to fight the…”

“I do support this amendment because the amendment would add $300 million to the Child Survival Account to fight the scourge of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria and is offset by a corresponding cut in the Millennium Challenge Account. Along with the $2 billion already provided in this bill and in the labor-HHS bill, the amendment would bring the total amount appropriated for HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria to $2.3 billion. I had hoped that my amendment to add $1 billion for HIV/ AIDS would be made in order, but it was not. I believe that this amendment is a step in the right direction and I urge my colleagues to support it. Nearly 3 months ago, the House voted to authorize $3 billion to fulfill the first year of the President's 5-year, $15 billion global AIDS initiative. Amendments to cut the $3 billion level were defeated soundly by the full House. And the President did leave the distinct impression during his recent trip to Africa that the full $3 billion would be provided in 2004, despite the fact that he only requested $2 billion in funding.”