Date: 2006-06-08
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. the rule provides 1 hour of general debate evenly divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule also provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that we bring this legislation to the floor under an open rule. Historically. appropriations legislation has come to the House governed by an open rule. and we continue to do so. in order to allow each Member of this House the opportunity to submit amendments for consideration as long as they comply with the rules of the House. Mr. Speaker. the legislation before us today appropriates over $21 billion. an increase of $600 million over last year. for operations across the globe. The bill is fiscally sound while at the same time. compassionate and globally responsive to needs of those plagued by disease. famine. and disaster. H.R. 5522. the legislation that we bring to the floor today. bolsters the Presidents Millennium Challenge Corporation to $2 billion. nearly a quarter of a billion dollars more than in fiscal year 2006. This expansion of assistance is meant to encourage transparency in government and to fight corruption in some of the worlds poorest nations. The Millennium Challenge. which President Bush called a new compact for global development. provides assistance through a competitive selection process to developing nations that are pursuing political and economic reforms in three areas: Ruling justly. investing in people. and fostering economic freedom. Contributions from the Millennium Challenge Corporation are linked to greater responsibility from developing nations. The new responsibilities these developing nations accept and exchange for funds ensue that the monies we provide do not go to waste and will have the greatest possible impact on those who need help the most. Three years ago in his State of the Union address. President Bush announced for Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. the largest international health initiative in history initiated by a single government to address one disease. This bill demonstrates Congresss continued support of the fight against HIV/AIDS as it includes over $3.4 billion to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS. It is an increase of over $750 million. I congratulate the committee on the sizeable increase for this program. It demonstrates our resolve. our determination to help all those across the globe who fight this disease. In other foreign assistance. H.R. 5522 funds the Andean Counter Drug Initiative at the Presidents request $721 million. Economic growth in the area since the start of Plan Colombia is proof that the assistance we have provided Colombia has made a difference in that country. President Uribe has made great strides to combat narcoterrorism in Colombia. Under his leadership. Colombia is now neutralizing guerilla forces and prosecuting those who are implicated in serious crimes. However. we must not take progress in the Andean region for granted. If the United States. turns its back on the region. a scenario could ensue that would require greater U.S. investment at a time when we have significant responsibilities worldwide. The underlying legislation. Mr. Speaker. also provides about. $2.5 billion for military and economic assistance to Israel. We must and we will continue to ensure that our friends and allies remain secure. A strong Israel is necessary to the United States national interests and to stability in the Middle East. We are committed to doing everything we can so that Israel is safe and secure within her border. especially as the terrorist group now in the government in the Palestinian Authority and also the Iranian dictatorship continue to threaten to wipe Israel off the face of the map. something that will not happen and we would never permit. The particular concern to my district is funding for the Republic of Haiti. That country has undergone a tumultuous few years of political instability as well as being hit by a natural disaster. The bill fully funds the Presidents request of $164 million in funding for Haiti. Over the last two decades. an estimated 2 million people in Sudan have died due to warrelated causes and famine. and millions have been displaced from their homes. This bill fully funds the Presidents request of $450 million. with $137 million devoted to Darfur. Assistance is conditional. it will only be given to the coalition government if that assistance is in direct support of the comprehensive peace agreement or. the Darfur peace agreement. Mr. Speaker. H.R. 5522 was introduced and worked on in a very detailed and serious -way by Chairman KOLBE and reported out of the Appr6priations Committee on May 26 by a voice Vote. It is a good piece of legislation. important to our continued commitment to the security and safety of all citizens and residents of the United States. and we bring it forth under an open and fair rule. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chairman LEWIs and Chairman KOLBE and Ranking Member LOWEY for their leadership on this important issue. I would like to point out that this is Chairman KOLBEs final appropriations bill as chairman of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee. It has been truly a pleasure to work with Chairman KOLBE on the Foreign Operations appropriations bill and on many other important legislative projects throughout his distinguished career in this House. I urge my colleagues to support both the rule and the under-. lying legislation. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.