[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 91 (Friday, July 14, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1235-E1236]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2001

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                               speech of

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 12, 2000

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4811) making 
     appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and 
     related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
     2001, and for other purposes.

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, the FY 2001 Foreign Operations 
Appropriations bill is a bare-bones measure.
  This bill provides for a mere $13.3 billion--about $200 million less 
than the FY2000 Act and $1.8 billion, or 12%, below the President's 
$15.1 billion FY2001 request.
  Most disconcerting are the inadequate funding levels for debt relief 
and HlV/AlDS, and language placing restrictions on international funds 
for family planning.
  The Foreign Operations Appropriations bill contains only $82 million 
of the $472 million requested for multilateral debt relief assistance. 
This is appalling.
  Developing countries are struggling to pay debts that are crippling 
their economies. These countries have had to make drastic cuts in 
education and health care in order to make payments on these debts.
  Debt relief is good moral and economic policy. Relieving the debt 
burden borne by the world's poorest nations will significantly improve 
the lives of millions of people around the world, while also serving 
U.S. interests by promoting stability and self-sufficiency in these 
countries.
  Last month, the United Nations issued a report that uncovered the 
major devastation of

[[Page E1236]]

HIV/AIDS occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa. The report stated that one in 
five adults in Sub-Saharan Africa are infected with the HIV virus. How 
can the United States sit back and allow such suffering to go on? The 
answer is we cannot.
  Back in April, the President declared AIDS in Africa to be a threat 
to U.S. national security. This epidemic has the power to devastate 
economies, overthrow governments, and set off wars. While some believed 
this statement was an ``overreaction,'' I am convinced that this is an 
accurate assessment. If we do not provide the necessary funding to 
contain this epidemic today, the U.S. and the rest of the international 
community will have to carry a greater burden in the future.
  We can no longer allow an isolationist approach to guide our foreign 
policy, which is exactly what this bill does. As a world leader, the 
United States should promote globalization and embrace a pro-active, 
internationalist vision.
  Mr. Chairman, I am discouraged with the inadequate funding provided 
under the FY2001 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. It is my hope 
that we will be able to resolve many of the shortcomings in this bill 
and bring the funding levels closer to the Administration's request. 
However, in its current form, I regret that I will have to vote against 
this bill and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

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