October 16, 2003
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee today attempted to provide an amendment to the $87 billion supplemental appropriations package that would have added $1 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis.
The additional money would have met the funding appropriations for AIDS that President Bush has called for, but has yet to deliver on. In his State of the Union Address this year, President Bush declared himself to be a proponent of AIDS funding, calling for $15 billion over five years to fight a disease that kills 3 million each year. Shortly thereafter, the Congress passed and the President signed into law legislation that would provide $3 billion per year. Throughout his recent trip to Africa, Bush touted that legislation, even though his own budget called for only $2 billion this year.
Lee’s amendment was rejected from being considered on the floor, first by the Committee on Rules and then by a second rule on the House floor that blocked Members from offering amendments.
“My amendment was simple. It would have added $1 billion to our global AIDS initiative this year, in order to reach the $3 billion that the President has been promising for Africa and the Caribbean.”
“If the President can ask for a blank check of $87 billion, for the life of me I don’t understand why he won’t ask for this $1 billion? He promised it, he traveled to African and touted his commitment, and yet he has not delivered.”
“Millions of lives are hanging in the balance, and we have the power to save them. We cannot allow further delay, and AIDS will not wait for us to act. I urge the Republican leadership and the administration to wake up to this reality.”
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Congresswoman Barbara Lee Offers $1 Billion Amendment for AIDS Funding as Part of $87 Billion Supplemental Appropriation
Amendment Rejected Twice by Republicans
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee today attempted to provide an amendment to the $87 billion supplemental appropriations package that would have added $1 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis.
The additional money would have met the funding appropriations for AIDS that President Bush has called for, but has yet to deliver on. In his State of the Union Address this year, President Bush declared himself to be a proponent of AIDS funding, calling for $15 billion over five years to fight a disease that kills 3 million each year. Shortly thereafter, the Congress passed and the President signed into law legislation that would provide $3 billion per year. Throughout his recent trip to Africa, Bush touted that legislation, even though his own budget called for only $2 billion this year.
Lee’s amendment was rejected from being considered on the floor, first by the Committee on Rules and then by a second rule on the House floor that blocked Members from offering amendments.
“My amendment was simple. It would have added $1 billion to our global AIDS initiative this year, in order to reach the $3 billion that the President has been promising for Africa and the Caribbean.”
“If the President can ask for a blank check of $87 billion, for the life of me I don’t understand why he won’t ask for this $1 billion? He promised it, he traveled to African and touted his commitment, and yet he has not delivered.”
“Millions of lives are hanging in the balance, and we have the power to save them. We cannot allow further delay, and AIDS will not wait for us to act. I urge the Republican leadership and the administration to wake up to this reality.”
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