Political Quotes

“we adopted an amendment yesterday, offered by the distinguished chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Lugar, to restore spending to international affairs programs next year by over $1.1 billion, from the committee's level. The bipartisan Lugar-Biden level would fund the President's proposal next year for global AIDS prevention. The resolution now accommodates $15 billion in spending over the next 5 years for those countries hardest hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This is the largest commitment made by any country in the world to address this specific problem. This administration is taking a very bold step, which we support, to combat HIV/AIDS. I therefore rise in opposition to the Kerry amendment which would increase by nearly 80 percent the amount of money provided by this function of the budget. It would also increase taxes by nearly $1.6 billion, further undermining the growth package now assumed in the resolution. I have been working with Senator Lugar and others on this important issue and will devote my full resources to the effort to combat the scourge of HIV/AIDS.”