Nita Lowey: “Mr. Chairman, while the bill before us already contains $2.2 billion for HIV/AIDS programs, which is the requested…”

“Mr. Chairman, while the bill before us already contains $2.2 billion for HIV/AIDS programs, which is the requested level, it only contains $400 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. The Global Fund has made clear to us that a $400 million U.S. contribution for fiscal year 2005 will endanger completion of multiyear grant agreements it has already signed and will totally shut down the Fund's ability to make new grants. The Fund has appealed to us for a total U.S. contribution of $1.2 billion this year, which is its estimate of the funds needed to meet anticipated demands for the next round of grant awards. I want to point out that the committee has not been totally satisfied with the management performance of the Fund, and there are a number of reforms mandated in the bill to improve its performance. But, despite these concerns, the demand for increased funds for meeting the needs for HIV treatment, prevention, and awareness are vast and growing.”