[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 155 (Friday, October 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2622-E2623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RYAN WHITE HIV/AIDS TREATMENT EXTENSION ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. VIRGINIA FOXX

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 23, 2009

  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, in 2006, I supported the Ryan White HIV/AIDS 
Treatment Modernization Act which reauthorized the Ryan White HIV/AIDS 
program and included important provisions that sunset the program's 
authorizations. However, the 2009 reauthorization bill, S. 1793, that 
the House passed on October 21, 2009 repeals all prior sunset 
provisions. With the current budgetary fiasco facing the federal 
government, the need for provisions that would sunset program 
authorizations is more pronounced now than ever. Congress constantly 
creates new programs with little or no thought to the amount of money 
that will be needed to finance its eternal life. The thought seems to 
be that a billion dollars for any specific purpose is so minuscule when 
compared to the federal deficit that one cannot resist supporting 
worthy causes and efforts. The problem is that this excuse occurs on a 
daily basis around here. Collectively, that mentality is what has led 
us to the insurmountable federal spending levels currently threatening 
the economy and overall strength of the U.S. dollar.
  One simple way to help combat that mentality is the inclusion of 
provisions that sunset program authorizations. This is a commonsense, 
prudent and simple step that can be taken regularly to help keep us 
honest. If a program is worth continuing, its purpose and effectiveness 
should be defensible in the future. If it is not defensible, then 
committees can reevaluate and retool its functioning to help restore 
accountability. Moreover, committee chairmen should wholeheartedly 
support sunset provisions as their inclusion would more regularly work 
towards shaping policies under their purview. Some may argue that the 
programs are too plentiful and the task too overwhelming for Congress 
to evaluate effectively on a regular basis. This is all the more reason 
to fight for smaller government, and terminating ineffective and 
duplicative programs. Congress must put the necessary accountability 
and oversight measures in place to ensure that American tax dollars are 
being well spent on worthy, well-functioning priorities.
  S. 1793 authorizes the appropriation of about $2.55 billion for 
fiscal year 2010, a 14 percent increase from the appropriation the 
program received in fiscal year 2009 of $2.213 billion. The bill 
increases the program's overall authorization levels by an automatic 5 
percent each year for total of $8.44 billion over the 2010-2013 period. 
In comparison the federal government sought only to increase the 
defense budget by 3 percent. What is additionally troubling is that 
there is no Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report available 
estimating how much this program could cost. Moreover, S. 1793 was 
considered under a suspension of the House rules, leaving no 
opportunity for members to amend the bill to address any of these 
concerns. Therefore, I could not in good conscience support a bill with 
such a large increase in authorizations coupled with no CBO score or a 
sunset provision.

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