David Obey: “I would simply suggest to the gentleman, if he thinks this is a good idea, that he take this idea up with the President…”

“I would simply suggest to the gentleman, if he thinks this is a good idea, that he take this idea up with the President of the United States. What this committee has tried to do both on this subcommittee and on the Foreign Operations Subcommittee is to respect and work with the administration in their effort to provide global leadership to deal with the AIDS epidemic around the world. And the fact is that this item in this bill is a critical piece of the President's program. Given our disarray around the world because of Iraq, I think it is a wonderful exception when we can be seen to be providing constructive leadership in the world on something. And certainly, although I have many differences with the President, this is one area where I think he has exercised significant leadership. I think it would undercut our standing yet again in the world if we were to withdraw this funding. I just think that we've struck a good balance with respect to this program.”