Senate Passes Omnibus Appropriations Bill, Includes $180 Million for Global Fight Against AIDS
The Senate yesterday passed by a 69-29 vote its version of the fiscal year 2003 omnibus appropriations bill, which includes $180 million for the global fight against HIV/AIDS, AP/USA Today reports (AP/USA Today, 1/24). The amendment, co-sponsored by Sens. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), would authorize about $100 million toward the U.S. contribution to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The remaining $80 million would go to the U.S. Agency for International Development and the CDC. The measure would represent a 50% increase over FY 2002 funding levels for global HIV/AIDS, according to a press release from Durbin's office (Durbin release, 1/23). The Senate yesterday also approved an amendment sponsored by Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) to spend $500 million in famine aid for Africa. A $600 million famine amendment, also sponsored by Nelson, was rejected on Wednesday. The spending bill combines 11 separate bills and must now be reconciled with the House-passed version of the bill. A final compromise is not expected until at least early next month, the Los Angeles Times reports (Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 1/24).
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