Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Reuters NewMedia - Thursday, October 30, 2003
Andrew Clark

The Senate voted 89-1 to add the extra funds to an $18.4 billion bill funding U.S. foreign aid programs in 2004, which it later cleared by a voice vote.

The U.S. House of Representatives rejected a similar effort when it passed its version of the spending measure in July, and the issue will now have to be settled by congressional negotiators before a final bill can be sent to President Bush.

The Senate AIDS funding still falls short of the $3 billion that was promised for 2004 by legislation Bush signed into law in May to launch a five-year, $15 billion initiative to fight AIDS and other diseases -- like tuberculosis and malaria -- that prey on its weakened victims.

The White House and congressional Republican leaders, facing tight spending constraints as federal deficits hit record levels, argue $2 billion is enough for the effort's start-up year, and that more money will be available later.

But supporters of the extra funding said the need for action against the growing threat presented by the spread of AIDS was too great to allow available resources to be delayed.

"AIDS is wiping out entire communities and, yes, we can truly say that AIDS has the potential to wipe out entire countries," said Sen. Mike DeWine, an Ohio Republican. "Passing this amendment will save thousands and thousands of lives."

Facing enough votes to simply add the extra money to the spending bill in defiance of the Senate's budget limits, Republican leaders were forced to agree to instead dip into funds previously set aside for defense.

The Senate also agreed to spend at least $75 million for programs in Africa aimed at stopping the transmission of the HIV virus that causes AIDS through dirty hypodermic needles and tainted blood transfusions.

Up to 1,000 people a day may be being infected with HIV in Africa because of unsafe medical practices, said Sen. Jeff Sessions, an Alabama Republican who authored the provision. "I believe we have a moral duty to act now to stem this eminently preventable waste of valuable lives," he said.

The Senate foreign aid bill is still more than $500 million below Bush's 2004 budget request for the programs it finances, but almost $1.3 billion above the companion House bill. That is likely to lead to problems in trying to craft a final version.

The bill would also overturn the Bush administration policy of blocking U.S. assistance to international family planning agencies if they advocate abortions.

Last week, the White House threatened a veto if the provision was retained.

(Additional reporting by Vicki Allen)

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