[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 79 (Wednesday, June 21, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S5551]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        LEAHY AMENDMENT ON FUNDING FOR TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I want to be sure there is no 
misunderstanding about my purpose in offering this amendment, which 
would reduce funding in the bill by a total of $21 million for programs 
to combat tuberculosis and malaria. The funding for these activities 
was included at my request, and I want to express my appreciation to 
Chairman McConnell for that.
  Like every Senator, I would like to see the highest possible levels 
of funding to combat these two dreaded diseases, which cause 
immeasurable suffering in developing countries. I have worked to do 
that for several years, and I fully intend to continue doing so. If our 
FY01 budget allocation would permit it, I would recommend higher 
funding for global health programs, including to combat TB and malaria.
  However, we are forced to make excruciating choices. I want to be 
sure that we allocate our resources wisely, and that we also have 
sufficient resources to support vital programs to combat anti-microbial 
resistance, which is a worldwide problem of great urgency and immense 
proportions, and to strengthen disease surveillance in developing 
countries.
  The purpose of this amendment is to ensure that in addition to 
providing increased funding above the current levels for programs to 
combat TB and malaria, we are also able to at least maintain, and 
preferable increase funding for anti-microbial resistance and 
surveillance. My hope is that effects of this amendment will only be 
temporary, that we will receive a higher allocation in the Conference, 
and that we will then be able to provide higher levels of funding for 
all of these critically important health activities.

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