FY2010 State and Foreign Ops bill expected to move on the Hill this month

Dec 10 2009

The fiscal year 2010 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, which includes funding for global health-related measures, "is moving on the Hill as part of a mammoth catch-all spending bill that's expected to move through both chambers this month," Foreign Policy's blog, "The Cable," reports. "It's been more than a month since the new fiscal year started and several federal agencies are operating under a stop-gap funding measure called a 'continuing resolution' that keeps the government humming but doesn't allow for new funding initiatives to begin. That expires on Dec. 18, giving a semi-firm deadline for Congress to pass the real funding bills," the blog notes (Rogin, 12/9).  

A Committees on Appropriations summary document (.pdf) from the House and Senate chairs highlights some funding allocations in the consolidated bill. The items related to global health and food security are:

"Global Health and Child Survival: $7.779 billion, $440 million above 2009 and $184 million above the request, to strengthen global public health infrastructure and surveillance to save lives overseas and protect the health of Americans from infectious diseases. It is estimated that U.S. investment in bilateral HIV/AIDS programs has provided life-saving treatment for 2.4 million people and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria has saved millions more. Specific investments include:

• HIV/AIDS: $5.709 billion (including $350 million for AUSAID HIV/AIDS programs), $200 million above 2009 and $100 million above the request, for international HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs including $750 million for multilateral programs through the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
• USAID Global Health and Child Survival Programs: $2.42 billion to USAID, including for HIV/AIDS, which when combined with $50 million for global pandemic programs in the FY 2009 supplemental is $134 million above the request and $440 million above 2009, for other global health programs. This includes increases of nearly $54 million for maternal and child health programs, $202.5 million to fight malaria, $62 million to fight tuberculosis, and $103 million for international family planning."

"Development Assistance: $2.520 billion, $720 million above 2009 and $214 million below the request, including for agricultural development, climate change, micro-credit, democracy and governance, and education in countries that face a complex range of long-term development challenges."

"Agriculture and Food Security Programs: $1.170 billion, $698 million above 2009 and $193 million below the request, to provide agricultural assistance and improve food security. More than one billion people suffer from chronic hunger."

"Improving Access to Safe Drinking Water: $315 million, $15 million above 2009 and $160 million above the request, for safe water programs, including increasing access to safe drinking water (such as pumps and wells); building water systems; and expanding safe hygiene programs. Over a billion people around the globe lack access to safe drinking water and two and a half billion lack access to basic sanitation."

"Humanitarian Assistance:

• Refugee Assistance: $1.730 billion, $19 million above 2009 and $175 million above the request, to help displaced people around the world with food, water, shelter and other basic needs. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, as of early 2009, there are approximately 10.5 million refugees of concern worldwide, and many more internally displaced persons. 
• Disaster Assistance: $845 million, $25 million above 2009 and $35 million below the request, to avert famines and provide life-saving assistance during natural disasters and for internally displaced people in Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and elsewhere around the world."

"Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC): $1.105 billion, $230 million above 2009 and $320 million below the request, for bilateral assistance to developing nations. MCC compacts have supported agriculture, transportation, education, health, and financial development projects" (Committees On Appropriations, 12/8).