House Approves Foreign Operations Appropriations Act

June 30, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman David Dreier (R-CA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, voted last night to approve legislation providing funds for various humanitarian and goodwill operations around the globe. The Foreign Operations Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006 , H.R. 3057, will provide the financial support necessary to take action on international issues including the promotion of democracy and combating the spread of HIV/AIDS. The House approved the bill with strong bipartisan support, 393-32.

“Recent political changes in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East have made funding for international operations more important than ever,” Dreier said. “Supporting new democracies in their hard work to suppress drug trade, combat disease, and improve the lives of the impoverished will create positive effects worldwide. Working to strengthen the economy and democratic governing bodies of countries like Afghanistan will be key to defeating terrorists who wish to derail their tremendous positive progress.”

Included in the bill is $1 million for the House Democracy Assistance Commission, which is chaired by Congressman Dreier. The Commission is a bipartisan group of members that will work directly with burgeoning parliaments and assemblies worldwide to provide advice and expertise. Dreier said these funds represent a sound investment in the security of the American people. “Emerging parliaments need and deserve our support,” he said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the effort to help these fledgling governments gain their footing and develop into trusted, democratic allies.”

H.R. 3057 also takes on the task of fighting AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria by providing $2.7 billion to combat disease. This is a $500 million increase over the current funding levels. The bill also contains record level funding for the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Administration’s signature foreign assistance program. Monetary aid to Afghanistan is also included, but it is contingent on the country’s compliance with narcotics eradication work funded by the U.S. The bill further ensures that taxpayer aid dollars are being used wisely by eliminating or substantially reducing funding for international organizations until they implement needed reforms.