Date: 2005-06-28
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Madam Speaker. the rule provides 1 hour of general debate evenly divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule also provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. I would like to take just a minute. Madam Speaker. to reiterate that we bring this rule forward under an open rule. Historically. appropriations bills have come to the House governed by an open rule. and we continue to do so. in order to allow every Member of this House the opportunity to submit amendments for consideration. obviously as long as they comply with all of the Rules of the House. Madam Speaker. the legislation before us appropriates over $20 billion. an increase of $73 million. for *operations across the globe. The bill is fiscally sound while. at the same time. compassionate and globally responsive to the needs of those plagued by disease and international disaster. The bill bolsters the Presidents Millennium Challenge Corporation to $1.75 billion. nearly a quarter of a billion dollars more than in fiscal year 2005. The expansion of assistance is meant to help bring economic security and the rule of law to some of the most of the poorest nations of the world. The Millennium Challenge provides assistance through a competitive selection process to developing nations that are pursuing political and economic reforms basically in three areas. Madam Speaker: ruling justly. investing in people. and fostering economic freedom. Economic development genuinely succeeds when it is linked to free market economic principles as well as to democracy and where governments are committed to implementing reform measures in order to achieve these goals. Two years ago in his State of the Union address. President Bush announced the Presidents emergency plan for AIDS relief. the largest international health initiative in history initiated by a single government to address one disease. This bill shows Congresss continued support of the fight against HIV/AIDS. as it includes over $2.6 billion to continue the fight against that horrendous deadly disease. Our resolve to help all those across the globe who fight this disease is strong. it is serious. In addition to funding. the Federal Government enlists the expertise of various agencies. including the Food and Drug Administration. which assures that the medicines we send to the developing world are safe and effective to help those with HIV/AIDS. In other foreign assistance. H.R. 3057 funds the Andean Counterdrug Initiative at the Presidents request. $734 million. $9 million more than last fiscal year. Economic growth in the area since the start of Plan Colombia is proof that the assistance we have provided Colombia has made a difference. a very important difference in that country. I myself visited in April of last year and was able to see the ex-. traordinary progress that the Colombian government and the Colombian people have made against the narcoterrorists. and they constantly reiterate their gratitude to this Congress for the important assistance. Madam Speaker that we have provided them and continue to do so. However. we must not take progress in the Andean region for granted. If the United States turns its back on the region. a scenario may ensue which would require greater U.S. investment and involvement at a time when we obviously have significant responsibilities worldwide. Madam Speaker. the underlying legislation also provides over $2.5 billion for military and economic assistance to Israel. We must continue to ensure that our friends and allies remain secure. I am fully convinced that a strong Israel is necegsary not only for Israel. but also for the security interests of the United States. We are committed to do everything we can so that Israel is safe and secure within its borders. Madam Speaker. H.R. 3057 was introduced by the gentleman from Arizona and reported out of the Committee on Appropriations on June 21 by voice vote. It is a good bill. essential to our continued commitment to the security and safety of all in the United States. and we bring it forth. as I stated before. under a very fair and. as a matter of fact. an open rule. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the gentleman from Arizona and the gentlewoman from New York for their leadership on this important issue. and I obviously would urge my colleagues to support both the underlying legislation as well as this rule. Madam Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.