TheWeekInCongress.com
Week Ending July 1, 2005
HR 3057 Making appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes.
BRIEF
It is the foreign operations spending that impacts nearly all countries on earth through US aid, military assistance and economic development funds. Often, US assistance comes with conditions such as government transparency and human rights reform or, most recently, participation or non-participation in world trade or UN activities. It can be, then, very political spending and the type of spending that shapes, in the minds of other countries, an image of who the US is and what the US wants from the world.
The bill is relatively free from what would traditionally be tagged as ‘pork’ unless you have particular penchant for one country over another. There is, however, one item under Biodiversity spending in Title II-Bilateral Economic Assistance worth mentioning. It is the $550,000 recommended to be spent somewhere in southern Africa to remove an undesirable species of brush that is encroaching on the feeding grounds of wild Cheetahs and diminishing their habitat. The brush would be converted to fuel.
Besides the traditional agencies and departments the bill funds a multitude of programs including global HIV / AIDS initiative, international narcotics control and law enforcement, migration and refugee assistance, nuclear non-proliferation, anti terrorism, land mine removal, international debt restructuring, and contributions to international banking institutions.
The House Appropriations Committee saw three specific goals of the bill: Responding to the global HIV/AIDS pandemic; Supporting allies in the War on Terrorism and supporting innovative ways to approach foreign assistance through the Millennium Challenge Corporation { The Millennium Challenge Corporation is a Bush administration plan to distribute aid to countries that meet a list of criteria including transparent government, no current affiliation to terrorist groups, various humanitarian and employment regulations and other conditions. Few countries have qualified in the four year history of the Challenge.)
The Committee recommended an increase of $502 million to spend $2.7 billion to fight AIDS malaria and tuberculosis. The money provides AIDS medication for 230,000 people in developing countries and care and support for one million HIV infected people and AIDS orphans.
The war on terrorism would be supported with $2.5 billion for economic support funds (ESF) and $4.4 billion for Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programs. Both amounts were reductions from the President’s request. “These funds support traditional methods of providing United States taxpayer assistance in the form of programs, projects, and activities to improve quality of life, support of existing military systems such as radios and spare parts for aircraft and trucks, as well as the purchase of new systems such as aircraft and radar systems,” the Committee noted.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation would receive a reduction to $1.8 billion although the President requested a $1.5 billion increase over 2005 spending of $3 billion.
Apparently the administration and/or the Secretary of State have been handing out foreign assistance in the form of cash transfers rather than the more widely used process of funding projects. The House Committee expressed its concerns with that procedure because it circumvents Congress’ ability to monitor and assess the giving and provide accountability and effectiveness of the taxpayer funds being spent.
The Committee failed to fund the President’s request for $458.5 million for Iraq reconstruction given that more than $5 billion in relief and reconstruction funds are still unspent. The Committee directed the State Department to use funds appropriated for Iraq this way: Economic support-$360 million; Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, and Demining - $29 million; International narcotics control and law enforcement--$26.5 million; Migration and refugee assistance-$43 million.
The bill came to the floor with amendments intact: Financial assistance to Saudi Arabia would be prohibited as would nay funds to help build nuclear facilities in China. $7 million would be held back from the Export-Import Bank until it installs an Inspector General and Foreign aid to countries that fail to extradite individuals who killed police officers and other serious crimes would be withheld.
House amendment activity put some personal spins on the bill, however. Funds to pay for more than fifty government employees at a conference outside the US would be prohibited. No funds would be spent in countries that will not extradite an American accused of killing a cop and none other than anti-narcotics funds would go to a country that refuses to extradite someone accused of an offense for which the maximum penalty is life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, or a lesser term of imprisonment. An attempt to redirect $750 million in aid for Egypt to UN children’s programs failed and direct aid to Saudi Arabia, usually in the hundreds of millions, would be cancelled. Egypt would receive $1.2 billion for military aid and $535 million for economic aid.
Senate amendment activity looked south to fight gang violence in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras while other concerned themselves with improving conditions for children and HIV/AIDS victims and refugees in Africa. One such amendment brought to light the irony that children in some African countries are forced violently into picking the cocoa beans that make the chocolate consumed by children in more affluent countries. Another successful Senate amendment would limit the US contribution to expanding the UN building in New York at $600 million. Under another amendment the Senate also began to stir the pot in energy rich Venezuela by calling for programs to promote democracy there. The yearly attempt to limit or end spending ($21 million) for US propaganda broadcasts to Cuba (Radio and TV MARTI) failed again despite continuous emphasis on the conclusion that Cuba jams the signal and no one on the island gets the message.
Sponsor: Representative Jim Kolbe (R-AZ-8th)
Vote: passed House 393 to 32 (RC 335) (June 29, 2005)
Cost to the taxpayers: $22.8 billion.
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MORE INFORMATION
AMENDMENTS (House)
AMENDMENTS (Senate)
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BILL FROM THE APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE
Title I Export and Investment Assistance
Title II Bilateral Economic Assistance
Title IV Multilateral Economic Assistance
Title I Export and Investment Assistance
Import Export Bank $198 million. IEB is allowed for another year to finance dual-use items that can be used for civilian or military needs, but which must be non-lethal in nature.
Overseas Private Investment Corporation $62.5 million. The Corp facilitates overseas investments and attempts to increase US exports. It is also an insurance against gross failure of a political or terrorist nature.
Funds Appropriated to the President $50.9 million for trade and development for a variety of programs including the effort to improve aviation safety and security systems globally.
Title II Bilateral Economic Assistance
(Funds Appropriated to the President)
US Agency for International Development
Funds are appropriated to effect economic and political cooperation with Russia, the former Soviet States, Central and Eastern European States and some Andean countries. Other funds will be spent on Child survival and health programs and the vaccine fund.
Child survival-$1.5 billion.
Child Survival and Maternal Health $347,000,000
Vulnerable children 25,000,000
HIV/AIDS (bilateral) 350,000,000
Other Infectious Diseases (including TB and malaria) 200,000,000
Reproductive Health/Voluntary Family Planning 375,000,000
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria 200,000,000
Total in Child Survival and Health Programs Fund 1,497,000,000
Other health activities in Global HIV/AIDS Initiative 1,920,000,000
Other health activities in ESF 145,000,000
Other health activities in regional accounts 97,000,000
Total in all Foreign Operations accounts 3,659,000,000
HEALTHCARE IN AFRICA
Obstetric fistula $6 million
Recommended $9.5 million for Mercy Ships.
HEALTHCARE IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE
Public Private partnerships pilot program in Mexico to provide maternity services $3 million. Competitive grants to combine US hospitals with Mexican entrepreneurs.
Recommended support for Bienfaisance de Pignon hospital Haiti.
DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
$1.5 billion for economic growth, trade and environment. Free market economic development, agriculture, rural development, literacy and basic education for children and adults, environment, energy, science and technology and other programs related to longer-term development.
HUMAN CAPACITY BUILDING
Basic Education----$465 million. But with the caveat that USAID must report relevant information on how the funds are used, to whom the funds are given and for what projects.
$30 million would attempt to meet the needs of African families that can not afford the fee to send their children to school.
Women’s Leadership Training-$15.5 million.
TRADE CAPACITY BUILDING
For programs that help countries participate in global trade through social investments-$214 million. Includes training for analysts, customs officers, policy officials, patent and copyright, inspectors, etc.
HYDRO POWER
$3 million to promote overseas markets for US made hydropower technology.
CLEAN WATER AND WATER MANAGEMENT
$50 million to dig wells in rural Africa and secure delivery systems in urban Africa.
BIODIVERSITY-$110 million recommended.
$550,000 in southern Africa to protect the Wild Cheetah is recommended. The funds would help remove an “undesirable species of brush” to be converted into fuel. The brush encroaches the Cheetah’s woodland savannah where they eat.
Recommends continuing the leverage of international funds to support imperiled ecosystems in Latin America.
Recommends resolving pollution in America coming from Mexico.
Recognizes Trees for the Future effort in Haiti and recommends funding.
Recommends continuing spending for a program that pays farmers to protect trees important to the eco-system and similar efforts.
COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH SUPPORT PROGRAMS
Public private research partnerships in the area of agriculture $28 million.
MICRO-ENTERPRISE
$200 million for the program that lends small amounts of money for business startups in countries that are severely economically challenged.
LATIN AMERICA
Recommended an increase to Central America for development, child survival and health programs. Funds under the Millennium Challenge require the recipient country exhibit: “improved labor rights and environmental capacity, basic education, child and maternal health, empowerment of the poor through private property rights, and opportunities for farmers to participate in the formal economy.”
MEXICO
Recommends “In the context of helping reduce the pressures of illegal immigration, the report should discuss the importance of rural development, property rights for the poor and formalizing the extra legal sector, access to financial services through such mechanisms as micro-credit institutions, and effective public finance and the rule of law.”
AMERICAN SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS ABROAD.
$20 million.
DAIRY DEVELOPMENT
$15 million and $7.5 million for countries not traditionally engaged in dairy development. “…it is important that dairy programs under this provision address both United States dairy industry needs as well as developmental goals.
TOTURE TREATMENT CENTERS
$12 million to help treat victims of torture.
ESTHER’S AID
$150,000 to “Esther's Aid for Needy and Abandoned Children, a faith-based NGO active in Rwanda, in protecting and rehabilitating the children of Rwanda through educational, health, and income-generation activities”
US UNIVERSITIES PROGRAMS
Committee recommends the following proposals for USAID's active consideration:
A proposal by Alabama A&M University to develop textbooks and teaching materials in Africa;
A proposal by the University of Alabama to conduct a feasibility study to establish a Central American Food Export Trade Association at the University;
A proposal by the University of South Alabama to initiate a birth defects monitoring program in the Ukraine;
A project from the University of Arizona and Mexico's Consejo Nacional de Ciencia Y Technologia to support a United States-Mexico binational optics program with the purpose of establishing a program to improve Mexico's competitiveness;
A proposal by the University of Arkansas for a logistics assessment and a pilot project for telemedicine;
A proposal by the University of Arkansas Medical School to work in partnership with Russian institutions on critical health problems in Russia;
A proposal by the University of California at San Diego's Scripps Institute of Oceanography to assess the impact of air pollution and persistent brown haze in Asia;
A proposal by California Western University School of Law to help Latin American countries reform their judicial systems;
Proposals by Loma Linda University, California, to expand its medical education and health care programs in developing countries, including the refurbishment of the Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan;
A proposal by the University of California at Los Angeles to support the WorldSpace Health Communications Initiative;
A proposal by Morehouse College to help build infrastructure for Sub-Saharan African leadership development, education and training;
A proposal by Northwestern University, Illinois, in association with partner organizations through the Consortium for Development Partnerships, to respond to the slow pace of economic development, democratization, and conflict resolution in many African countries;
Proposals by DePaul University, Illinois, to provide training for diplomats and 30 to 45 police officials, prosecutors, judges, defense attorneys, prison officials and to establish a Summer Human Rights Law Intensive program to provide training in international human rights and humanitarian law for diplomats;
A proposal by the Kansas State University Plant Biotechnology Center to solve intractable problems of cereal crop production in developing countries;
A proposal by Tulane University and Xavier University, Louisiana, to work with the West African Health Organization to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS in the militaries of the Economic Community of Western African States;
A proposal by the Louisiana State University Law Center to support intra-hemispheric trade through partnerships with law schools in Latin America;
A proposal by St. Mary's College of Maryland with the University of The Gambia to assist in up-grading the University;
A proposal by the John Joseph Moakley Center for Law, Justice, and Human Rights at Boston College, Massachusetts, to support programs that promote justice and human rights around the world through the College's undergraduate and graduate international programs;
A proposal by the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies at the University of Massachusetts to assist countries with developing democracies to set up sound legal systems;
A proposal by Brandeis University and the Al-Quds University to strengthen academic excellence and educational opportunities and to support the Heller School's Sustainable International Development Program;
A proposal by Bemidji State University, Minnesota, to create a Central Asian Institute to facilitate cross-cultural understanding and enhance the education of citizens in Central Asia;
A proposal by the University of Montana and the Montana World Trade Center to help increase the capacity of developing countries to reach international trade agreements with the United States;
A proposal by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to establish a global standard joint undergraduate and MBA programs at Jordanian universities;
A proposal by the University of Nebraska Omaha to jump start teacher training and vocational education programs in Afghanistan;
A proposal by the University of Nebraska Lincoln to initiate collaborative programs for teaching, research and outreach in Jordan;
A proposal by Rutgers University, Thomas Edison State College and the SAS Institute to jointly provide a post graduate program in non-profit business and government administration;
Proposals by Monmouth University to establish opportunities for Armenian students in the United States and to support an anti-trafficking in persons training program;
A proposal by Ohio University to train Afghans in the development of rural infrastructure;
A proposal by the Pacem In Terris Institute at La Roche College, Pennsylvania, for an international scholarship program;
A proposal by Chestnut Hill College to establish a working relationship with the International Center for Education and Research Distance Learning Center in Ukraine;
A proposal by the American University in Kosovo to educate the future political and economic leaders;
A proposal by George Mason University, Virginia, to support continued operations of the Center for World Religions and Conflict Resolution to support an initiative to reduce violence;
Proposals by the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology to provide educational opportunities for foreign students, particularly from developing nations, to provide engineering services to water and sanitation programs in India, to enhance its relationship with the University of Belgrade and to enhance its relationship with the Mongolia University of Science and Technology;
A proposal by Austin Peay State University, Tennessee, to enhance the international curriculum to meet the needs of military personnel at Fort Campbell, Kentucky;
A proposal coordinated by the Texas A&M University and other partnering universities for the Norman E. Borlaug International Science and Technology Fellows Program;
A proposal by Texas A&M University and other Alabama and Texas institutions of higher learning to expand research in the United States, Ghana and other cooperating countries to further refine the technology for remediating the effects of mycotoxins in food and feed;
A proposal by George Mason University, Virginia, to support continued operations of the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution to support an initiative to reduce violence in the name of religion;
A proposal by Washington State University to address challenges in water management and the environment;
A proposal by City University, Washington, to improve and expand information technology infrastructure for Central and Eastern European distance learning programs;
A proposal by the Asian University for Women, Bangladesh, to educate disadvantaged women from diverse backgrounds around Asia in a non-sectarian environment;
A proposal by the American University of Bulgaria to support liberal arts education and the core values of an open, democratic society;
A proposal on behalf of the George Washington Academy in Morocco for additional buildings and equipment; and
A proposal on behalf of universities in Nigeria to establish cyber centers and technical training facilities.
A proposal by the Mrs. Helena Kaushik Women's College, India, to increase opportunities for women to receive undergraduate and graduate degrees;
A proposal by universities on behalf of the Caribbean American Mission for Education Research and Action (CAMERA).
INTERNATIONAL DISASTER AND FAMINE RELIEF.
$356 million.
“The President's budget sought the reallocation of these resources ($300 million) because USAID wished to purchase commodities overseas whereas PL-480 Title II grants must be used to purchase commodities in the United States. Because of insufficient resources, the Committee does not support the proposed reallocation of resources. If food security, poverty reduction or other life saving objectives would be better served through the purchase of local or regional commodities, the Committee notes that USAID has existing authority in this and other accounts.”
SUDAN $390 million.
TRANSITION AID
For Afghanistan, Sudan, Haiti and Ethiopia--$50 million (President’s request was $275 million)
OPERATING EXPENSES USAID
$630 million.
CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND
$77.7 million including $55 million for USAID to pay its part of building secure embassy compounds. The spending comes under a new program where agencies with overseas staff all chip in for resources overseas such as embassy security.
OTHE BI-LATERAL PROGRAMS
ISRAEL--$240 million. Half of the 2005 funding level.
Recommended support for ELEM/Youth in Distress which works with Israeli, Palestinian, Druze, and Bedouin youth living on the streets.
EGYPT
$495 million. “The Committee recommends that not less than 50 percent of the funds provided for Egypt for democracy, governance, and human rights be provided through nongovernmental organizations for the purpose of strengthening Egyptian civil society organizations, enhancing their participation in the political process, and enhancing their ability to promote and monitor human rights. The Committee further recommends that not less than 50 percent of the funds provided for Egypt for education be used to improve access to basic education. The remainder of the funds provided for education shall be used to strengthen institutions of higher education, promote academic freedom, and fund educational and cultural exchange programs.”
Religious Freedom, Egypt.
Recommends Christian community treated better
Women’s Empowerment, Egypt
The Committee recommends support for programs and organizations that seek to strengthen the role and capacity of women to be full participants in Egyptian society including $150,000 for the National Council for Women in Egypt.
AFGHANISTAN
$430 million. $205 million above last year spending. Not more than $225,000,000 until the Secretary of State certifies to the Committee on Appropriations, that the Government of Afghanistan at both the national and local level, is cooperating fully with United States funded eradication and interdiction efforts in Afghanistan.
The Committee is greatly concerned that the Government of Afghanistan, at both the national and local level, is not fully supporting efforts to eradicate poppy growth and interdict the heroin byproduct of these poppies. Without full cooperation and support of the government for eradication and interdiction programs, the Committee believes the illegal drug trade of Afghanistan will flourish. The Committee cannot condone increasing assistance for Afghanistan if the government is not willing to fully participate in ending the growth and trade of an illegal drug that tears apart the fabric of society and has the potential to undermine the legitimacy of the government.
Within the $225,000,000 that may be expended immediately, the Committee urges funding of up to $5,000,000 to refurbish the existing Wazir Akbar Kahn Hospital with its American partner and to initiate the start-up program for managing and providing health care delivery in Kabul. The Committee requests that the Department of State, no later than March 1, 2006, issue a report detailing its progress in addressing this matter.
AFGHAN WOMEN AND GIRLS
50,000,000 in fiscal year 2006 funds to support programs for Afghan women and girls. With these funds, $10,000,000 is for women's legal rights and $5,000,000 is for programs that provide economic opportunity for women. The Committee strongly encourages the recipients of these funds to partner with local, women-led organizations in the implementation of these activities.
AFGHANISTAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
$5 million
PASKISTAN PROGRAMS
$300 million. Committee urges that within the amount provided, $10,000,000 be used for rural access, health and education needs in South and North Waziristan Provinces
JORDAN PROGRAMS
$250 million. The Committee notes that ESF (Economic Support Fund) assistance will help Jordan deal with economic impacts from increased oil prices, and it will help the Kingdom continue to modernize information technology investments and education
MIDDLE EAST REGIONAL PROGRAMS
The need for fresh water is a reality for all parties in the Middle East. Fresh water is essential for economic development, agriculture, health, and improving the quality of life for everyone in the region. Therefore the Committee strongly supports the continued efforts of the International Arid Lands Consortium in addressing the critical issues of water, energy, and agriculture and land use in the Middle East and Central Asia, and urges USAID to make available $2,500,000 to the Consortium for this work. These funds are to be allocated from bilateral, centrally managed or regional programs either in this account or in other accounts funded by this Act.
IRAQ PROGRAMS
The Committee recommends no funding for Iraq programs, instead of $360,000,000 as requested. The Committee has not included these funds based on an understanding that over $5,000,000,000 in funds previously appropriated for Iraq reconstruction and relief remain unobligated and could be used to fund the requirements presented in the fiscal year 2006 request. Therefore, as an alternative to the appropriation of additional taxpayer dollars for this requirement, the Committee directs the Department of State to ensure that unobligated balances from funds originally appropriated for the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund (IRRF) in the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense and Reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan (Public Law 108-106) be used as necessary to finance the Iraq program requirements presented in the fiscal year 2006 budget request.
IRISH VISA PROGRAM
The Committee recommends funding for the Walsh Irish Visa program of $3,500,000, as requested. This program, authorized since 1998, assists young people who are residents of Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland with developing job skills and conflict resolution abilities. Eligible youth receive non-immigrant visas that enable them to work for up to three years in the United States.
WEST BANK AND GAZA PROGRAM
The Committee recommends funding for the West Bank and Gaza program at the President's request of $150,000,000. The Committee recommends retaining language that prohibits funds in this Act from being obligated or expended directly to the Palestinian Authority (Sec 550). The Committee recommends retaining language that requires the Secretary of State to exercise oversight and ensure that such assistance is not diverted to individuals, entities, or educational institutions that engage, have engaged, advocate or sponsor terrorist activity (Sec 559(b)).
In order to maintain proper oversight of grants and contracts issued under the West Bank and Gaza program, the Committee recommends retaining language that requires annual audits of all contractors and grantees, and significant subcontractors and sub-grantees (Sec 559). Prior to the obligation of funds for the West Bank and Gaza program, the Secretary of State is required to take all appropriate steps to ensure that such assistance is not provided through any individual, private or government entity, or educational institution, that the Secretary knows or has reason to believe advocates, plans, sponsors, engages in, or has engaged in, terrorist activity and requires the Secretary of State to terminate any assistance to any individual, entity, or educational institution found to be involved in or advocating terrorist activity. The Committee also recommends retaining language that provides up to $1,000,000 for the Inspector General of the United States Agency for International Development for audits, inspections, and other activities in furtherance of this provision.
The Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations not later than December 1, 2005, and prior to the initial obligation of funds appropriated for the West Bank and Gaza program, a financial plan that details the proposed use of the funds on a project-by-project basis for which the obligation of these funds is anticipated. The Committee directs that this financial plan of the West Bank and Gaza program be updated on a quarterly basis and submitted to the Committee noting any changes from the previous financial plan.
The Committee directs the President to submit to Congress, a report detailing the information requested in Section 2106 of PL 109-13 no later than 60 days after enactment of this Act and provide updates of this report on a quarterly basis throughout fiscal year 2006.
The Committee understands that the fiscal year 2006 request for the West Bank and Gaza program is associated with programs, projects, and activities administered by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and does not include funds for direct budgetary assistance for the Palestinian Authority.
HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE
The Committee notes that one of the primary objectives of the West Bank and Gaza Program is to create viable infrastructure in Palestinian Authority-controlled areas to ensure the health and welfare of the Palestinian people. Al Quds University, in cooperation with the Kuvin Center for Infectious Diseases of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has proposed the establishment of a regional health and disease program, which would work to build an effective infrastructure to deal with serious health and disease problems that potentially exist among the Palestinian people. The Committee urges USAID to work through the West Bank and Gaza Program, to help Al Quds and the Kuvin Center implement this proposal.
The Committee recognizes the work of Save a Child's Heart, an Israeli organization, dedicated to treating children in developing nations who are suffering from heart disease. The Committee supports the organization's efforts to expand its activities among Palestinian children, and urges the organization to explore ways in which its volunteer surgeons can help build indigenous Palestinian medical expertise in this field.
LEBANON PROGRAM
The Committee recommends $40,000,000 for Lebanon programs, $5,000,000 over the request. The Committee directs that not less than $6,000,000 should be used for scholarships and other direct support of the American educational institutions in Lebanon. Providing an American education to the young people of Lebanon and the region makes a unique contribution to the long term development of political and economic stability in that country. Broadening understanding of American values in the Middle East is particularly important to United States efforts to counter violence and terrorism.
MIDDLE EAST PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE
The Committee recommends $85,000,000 for the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), $35,000,000 less than the request and $10,000,000 over the 2005 funding level. The Committee is concerned that the large funding request of $120,000,000, up from $75,000,000 provided in 2005, would prove difficult to effectively expend.
The Committee directs that within the funds provided for MEPI, up to $4,500,000 be set aside to establish a scholarship program to educate students from countries with significant Muslim populations at the American educational institutions in those countries. The American educational institutions are uniquely positioned to improve understanding and strengthen shared values with the Muslim world.
INDONESIA
The Committee recommends $67,500,000 for Indonesia, an increase of $2,500,000 over the 2005 level and $2,500,000 less than the 2006 request. Within the $15,000,000 provided for education programs, the Committee recommends funds be provided as necessary to re-establish midwifery education systems throughout Aceh, Indonesia.
The Committee notes that direction was provided in fiscal year 2004 that up to $5,000,000 be provided for the Yitzhak Rabin Center in Tel Aviv, Israel, to assist in the creation of the Israel Society and Democracy Educational Center. The Committee understands that the Rabin Center has not yet received the entire $5,000,000 as identified in House Report 108-401. The Committee urges the Department of State to complete the $5,000,000 financial commitment for the Yitzhak Rabin Center.
EAST TIMOR
The Committee recommends $13,500,000 for programs in East Timor, as requested, to support income producing projects and other reconstruction activities.
The Committee notes that East Timor is eligible under the Threshold Country Assistance Program funded within the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) account. The MCC estimates that East Timor is eligible for an estimated $5,000,000 to $7,000,000 in assistance, which would bring the total for East Timor provided in this bill to approximately $18,500,000 to $20,500,000.
TIBET
The Committee recommends not less than $4,000,000 in assistance for programs that preserve cultural traditions, and promote economic development and environmental conservation in Tibetan communities.
The Committee is aware of the valuable assistance the Bridge Fund has provided to promote Tibetan-owned and operated businesses and educational, cultural and natural resource conservation projects in Tibet and recommends that $2,000,000 of these funds should be provided to the Bridge Fund.
The Committee recommends that $250,000 be made available through a nongovernmental organization, such as the National Endowment for Democracy, for the purpose of providing training and education of Tibetans in democracy activities, and monitoring the human rights situation in Tibet. The Committee supports the use of a greater portion of the funds made available, for activities that have a primary impact inside Tibet, to the extent practicable. The Committee encourages the Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor to work closely with the Office of the Special Coordinator on Tibetan Issues in carrying out these programs.
At the same time, the Committee encourages organizations involved in China rule of law programs to seek out opportunities to conduct programs that can improve the human rights situation and the administration of justice in Tibetan areas, including Tibetan areas outside the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR).
CYPRUS
The Committee recommends $20,000,000 for Cyprus as requested only for educational and other bicommunal projects. These funds provide a basis for mutual cooperation and preparation for the two communities of Cyprus to live together harmoniously by increasing inter-communal contacts. These funds provide funding for Fulbright scholarships, the Bicommunal Support Program, the United Nations Office for Project Service, and other related activities. The Committee believes that the key to successful mutual cooperation is balanced economic growth throughout Cyprus.
LABOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION EFFORTS IN CENTRAL AMERICA.
The Committee is recommending a continuation of a minimum regional allocation of $20,000,000 for labor and environmental capacity building activities relating to the free trade agreement with the countries of Central America and the Dominican Republic. This amount is the same as last year. The Committee expects these funds to be coordinated with the Office of Trade Capacity Building of the United States Trade Representative's Office and other agencies integral to cooperation in the context of special trading arrangements.
The Committee supports the utilization of Economic Support Funds to build capacity in trade, labor and the environment, and other areas identified by the United States and developing countries. Specifically, given the fluid nature of cooperation related to special trading arrangements with the United States, the Committee places a premium on interagency coordination to provide the Department of State the latest insight into what constitutes the most appropriate cooperation. For this reason, the Committee continues to encourage the Department of State to consult with the Office for Trade Capacity Building of the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in resource allocation and programming. For this fiscal year, the Committee requests that the Department of State, in coordination with USTR, report not later than 120 days after enactment on the allocation of fiscal year 2006 resources (by region and country) used to support these special trading relationships in the furtherance of United States foreign policy objectives. The report should provide perspective on the Department's ability to prospectively budget for trade capacity building assistance and to evaluate aid effectiveness.
The Committee recommends that up to $3,000,000 be provided to continue regional stability, conflict management and mitigation efforts. The Committee continues to support the work of the Foundation for Environmental Security and Sustainability (FESS) to address critical United States national security interests in the context of regional instability arising from resource scarcity and management practices, natural hazards, and other environmental stresses. The Committee recognizes the continuing importance of FESS's conflict management and mitigation efforts, in particular, FESS's new initiative to develop a regional/global approach for extractive industries that promote stability and security in some of the most troubled areas of the world.
The Committee recognizes that recent political changes, especially in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, have created new opportunities for broadening democracy. The Committee believes that parliamentary exchanges with the Congress can provide mutual benefits by facilitating the exchange of information and knowledge. The Committee is aware that United States government programs have been working for years to provide support to legislatures and notes in particular the `Open World' program operated by the Library of Congress and ongoing programs operated through the State Department and USAID.
The House Democracy Assistance Commission was recently created to facilitate international legislative exchanges, and the Committee urges this new Commission to complement ongoing programs. The Committee recommendation includes $1,000,000 to support the work of the Commission. The Committee understands that this $1,000,000 is not contained in the congressional budget justification for fiscal year 2006 and is thus subject to the notification requirements of section 515.
The Committee commends the work of the Bay Area's Climate of Trust Program and notes that it desires to expand exchanges between United States and Russian law enforcement authorities, expand the number of Russian Regional Tolerance Centers, and implement activities in Central Asia.
IRAN
The Committee commends the work of many organizations, including the Iran Freedom Foundation (IFF), that seek to educate the Iranian people about American solidarity with their freedom efforts by providing access to accurate information. The Committee urges funding from ESF for these efforts.
The Committee recommends $27,000,000 for the Human Rights and Democracy Fund as requested and recommends that $1,200,000 should be provided to support the Reagan/Fascell Democracy Fellows Program of the National Endowment for Democracy to enable activists, scholars, journalists, and practitioners from around the world to help make contributions to the strengthening of democracy in their respective countries. This program was authorized in section 104(a)(2)(B) of H.R. 3427 as enacted into law as part of Public Law 106-113, and helps keep alive the legacy of our former President.
The Treaty on Fisheries between the United States and the governments of certain Pacific Island States, popularly known as the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Treaty, requires that $21,000,000 in economic assistance be provided annually to the South Pacific Islands. Therefore, the Committee recommends that the treaty obligations be met through the payment of $21,000,000 in fiscal year 2006.
The Committee recognizes the importance of conflict resolution and reconciliation programs as a tool for creating a climate of peace in regions of conflict. The Committee is recommending $15,000,000 in bill language to support reconciliation programs and activities, which bring together individuals of different ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds from areas of civil conflict and war. Funding should be made available through an established process for organizations that provide such programming. The Committee recommends the Department of State actively consider proposals submitted by the following organizations: Playing for Peace; Interfaith Encounter Association; REDPRODEPAZ; Interns for Peace; Seeds of Peace; Arava Institute; Jerusalem International YMCA Project Children; Cooperation Ireland; OneVoice; Middle East Children's Association; Hand-in-Hand Center; Abildso Foundation Middle East Program for Young Leaders; Humanity in Action; Givat Haviva; Self Reliance Foundation/Salaam Olam; and, Facing History and Ourselves.
The Committee requests that the Department of State initiate an annual report on the status of applications and funding for these and other organizations supported through this program. Such report should be provided to the Committee not later than May 1 of each year.
The Committee supports the Administration's request for foreign assistance to Mexico, particularly the Training, Internships, Exchanges, and Scholarships (TIES) program. The Committee urges a special emphasis in this program on public policy training essential to creating the incentives for Mexican migrants to repatriate voluntarily from the United States, including the creation of effective micro-credit or other financial services in rural areas and strengthening property rights for home ownership and mortgage lending.
The Committee requests the Secretary of the State withhold $3,000,000 in United States bilateral programs contained in Title II for improved Mexican border health infrastructure until the Secretary of State advises the Committee in a report that the Government of Mexico is cooperating in efforts to increase control of its northern and southern borders, to create incentives for Mexican citizens to return to Mexico after illegally immigrating to the United States, and to reduce non-Mexican illegal immigration. Along the northern border, the Secretary of State should particularly evaluate and describe humanitarian efforts to reduce border deaths from unsafe travel as well as efforts to reduce organized crime. The Committee expects the report no later then February 15, 2006.
The Committee recommends $8,000,000 for Burma, to be made available to support democracy activities in Burma, including continuation of newspapers, publications, and media activities along the Burma-Thailand border and the provision of humanitarian assistance to displaced Burmese along Burma's borders. The Committee also recommends $3,000,000 be allocated from Migration and Refugee Assistance to community-based organizations operating in Thailand to provide food, medical and other humanitarian assistance to internally displaced peoples in eastern Burma.
The Committee recommends the following adjustments to the President's budget request, not referenced above:
$12,000,000 for the Trafficking in Persons initiative;
No funding for the new line item entitled Hemispheric Cooperation Program. The projects that would otherwise be funded here are included in the Committee's recommendation of $20,000,000 for trade capacity;
A reduction of $17,000,000, to be assessed against country-level and programmatic increases identified in the President's budget request for East Asia and the Pacific, and the Near East (excluding Israel, Egypt, and Jordan).
-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2005 level $18,500,000
Fiscal year 2006 request (8,500,000)
Committee recommendation 13,500,000
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The Committee recommends $13,500,000 for the International Fund for Ireland in support of the Anglo-Irish Accord, $5,000,000 less than the 2005 level and $5,000,000 above the 2006 request. Funding for this activity was requested as part of the Economic Support Fund appropriation. The Committee recommendation restores the separate appropriation account for assistance to Ireland.
|
Fiscal year 2005 level |
$393,427,000 |
|
Fiscal year 2006 request |
382,000,000 |
|
Committee recommendation |
357,000,000 |
The Committee recommends $357,000,000 for Assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States, an amount that is $36,427,000 below the level provided in fiscal year 2005 and $25,000,000 below the budget request. The Committee intends that funding for democracy programs through the National Endowment for Democracy continue at a level not less than that commensurate with the reduction in the account when compared to funding provided in fiscal year 2005, and be provided as a transfer of funds pursuant to section 632(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act.
The Committee has recommended the same bill language as in the fiscal year 2005 Act that authorizes the President to withhold funds for economic revitalization for Bosnia if he determines that Bosnia is not in compliance with the Dayton Accord regarding the presence of foreign forces and has not terminated intelligence cooperation with Iranian officials. All funds are subject to the provisions of section 529 of this Act.
The Committee strongly supports assistance for the Republic of Montenegro, and notes the strong support given by the Republic to the foreign policy of the United States during the latter years of the Milosevic regime in Serbia. It urges the Administration to make every effort to assist the Government of the Republic. The Committee recommendation includes $15,000,000 for Montenegro, a reduction of $5,000,000 below fiscal year 2005. The Committee expects the Department of State and USAID to consult with the Committee prior to the programming of funds for Montenegro for fiscal year 2006.
The Committee recommendation includes $45,000,000 for regional programs. This category funds environmental infrastructure, independent media support, civil society and rule of law, health promotion and care, economic development and other programs. While specific amounts are not earmarked for the Baltic States, the Committee notes that projects and programs are authorized for, and should continue in, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
The Committee supports efforts to establish a Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, Poland, and believes that such a museum would make a valuable contribution to teaching tolerance and respect for ethnic differences.
The Committee views efforts to promote the rule of law worldwide as a critical component of United States foreign policy. The Committee strongly supports the public service projects initiated by the American Bar Association (ABA) to strengthen democracy through programs that promote the rule of law in transitional countries. These effective programs rely predominantly on the volunteer efforts of American lawyers and have achieved sustainable results.
The Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative (CEELI), created in 1990, has been successful in 27 countries in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. The Committee recommends that funding for these programs continues at a level not less than that commensurate with the reduction in the account when compared to funding provided in fiscal year 2005. The ABA has expanded its public service project into Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. The Committee recommends expanded funding for ABA programs in these regions.
The Committee recommendation includes funding for the Russian, Eurasian, and East European Research and Training Program (Title VIII) at not less than the fiscal year 2005 level. The Committee also encourages the use of Title VIII funds to include comparative research and language training concerning Eurasian countries critical to the war against terrorism.
The Committee notes that the USAID-supported East Central European Scholarship Program (ECESP) has provided public- and private-sector leaders in East Central Europe with the skills to assist in democratic and economic reforms. The Committee believes that ECESP can make a valuable contribution to the Community Connections Program, which will be operated by USAID in fiscal year 2006. The Committee urges USAID incorporate ECESP into the implementation of the Community Connections Program and requests USAID to submit a report not later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act on specific projects that USAID is implementing with the support of ECESP.
The Committee is aware that several countries in this region and the former Soviet Union are struggling with sex trafficking. The Committee urges the Department of State to consider funding for groups, such as Different and Equal and MiraMed Institute, that are working to find lasting solutions to this problem.
The Committee recommends $477,000,000 for the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union. This is $5,000,000 below the request and $78,520,000 less than the fiscal year 2005 level.
The Committee again recommends language dealing with Russian nuclear and ballistic missile cooperation with Iran. The language is identical with that contained in existing law. The Committee remains disturbed by reports that indicate that Russian entities are extensively engaged with Iran in cooperative projects that significantly enhance Iran's ballistic missile capabilities. The ballistic missile cooperation, combined with Russian nuclear cooperation with Iran, represents a significant step in Iran's efforts to obtain a comprehensive, highly sophisticated weapons of mass destruction capability. The Committee reiterates the language from the fiscal year 2000 Statement of the Managers `that assistance to combat infectious diseases, child survival and non-proliferation activities, support for regional and municipal governments, and partnerships between United States hospitals, universities, judicial training institutions and environmental organizations and counterparts in Russia should not be affected by this section.'
The Committee strongly supports the efforts of President Yushchenko to lead his country toward a stronger economy and closer ties with the international community. During this period of transition, the Committee recognizes the need to support the consolidation of democracy at the central and local government levels, fight corruption, and promote economic reform, especially within the agricultural sector. The Committee urges the State Department to consider proposals from organizations, such as the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation and Ukranian Congress Committee of Armenia, with existing experience in Ukraine in one or more of these sectors.
The Committee recommends that all efforts be made to cooperate with public and private efforts to return confiscated religious property to their confessions. The Committee also supports the goals of the Ohio-Kharkiv Initiative, and commends the Department of State, the State of Ohio, and the Kharkiv Oblast for working with the Great Lakes Consortium as the primary facilitator.
The Committee reiterates its view that the extent and timing of United States and multilateral assistance, other than humanitarian assistance, to the government of any country in the Caucasus region should be proportional to its willingness to cooperate with the Minsk Group and other efforts to resolve regional conflicts.
In furtherance of a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict, and in support of the measures discussed at NATO and OSCE summits, the Committee strongly supports confidence-building measures among the parties to the conflict. Such measures include strengthening compliance with the cease-fire, studying post-conflict regional development such as landmine removal, water management, transportation routes and infrastructure, establishing a youth exchange program and other collaborative and humanitarian initiatives to foster greater understanding among the parties and reduce hostilities. The Committee expects the State Department to use its authority under section 498B of the Foreign Assistance Act as necessary to carry out such programs.
The Committee has included renewed authority for the President to provide humanitarian assistance to the region, notwithstanding the restrictions of section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act. The bill language is unchanged from last year.
The Committee continues to be concerned about the plight of the victims of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and recommends that up to $5,000,000 should be made available to address ongoing humanitarian needs in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
The Committee directs that $67,500,000 be made available from funding sources in this title for Armenia. Funding for this increase should be derived by reducing the funding available for countries that have recently received emergency supplemental funding.
The Committee is encouraged by democratic developments in the region, especially in Ukraine and Georgia. The Committee nonetheless continues to be concerned by the risks to democracy and human rights in other former Soviet states, particularly Russia, Belarus, and Uzbekistan. The Moscow School of Political Studies has performed valuable work to educate young Russian professionals and public servants on how to participate honestly and productively in running their own country. The Committee encourages the State Department to consider an application from this School in the amount of $500,000.
The Committee notes the many accomplishments of the Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF), which has, for the last decade, helped to channel the research activities of weapons scientists in the Former Soviet Union (FSU) in constructive directions. The Committee also notes that CRDF has recently initiated program for scientists and engineers from FSU and Baltic Countries to work collaboratively on HIV/AIDS and co-infection research and development, and urges the Administration to continue robust funding for CRDF.
INTERAMERICAN FOUNDATION
The Committee recommends $19,500,000 for the Inter-American Foundation, $1,674,000 above the request and $1,644,000 above the fiscal year 2005 level.
AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
The Committee recommends $20,500,000 for the African Development Foundation, $1,650,000 above the request and $1,652,000 over the fiscal year 2005 level
PEACE CORPS
The Committee recommends $325,000,000 for the Peace Corps, an amount that is $20,000,000 below the budget request and $7,560,000 above the amount enacted for fiscal year 2005
The Committee recommends $1,750,000,000 for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), an amount that is $1,250,000,000 below the request and $262,000,000 more than the fiscal year 2005 enacted level. The recommended reduction solely reflects the constrained budgetary situation in fiscal year 2006, and more specifically the Committee's allocation relative to the President's request and the need to address funding increases for other Presidential initiatives for fiscal year 2006. Additionally, a funding limitation of $75,000,000 is set for administrative expenses.
The Committee believes that the MCC provides the United States with an opportunity to demonstrate global leadership in helping poor countries generate broad based economic growth and reduce poverty. Within United States bilateral assistance, the MCC provides the strongest opportunity for the United States Government to respond to the need for local ownership in the development process as well as the strongest incentives for encouraging countries to invest in health and education, to strengthen economic freedom, and to govern justly. The Committee recognizes that no other foreign assistance account creates the same incentive effect. The Committee believes that the MCC therefore is an appropriate complement to other critical foreign assistance efforts undertaken through the Development Assistance and the Child Survival and Health accounts.
The Committee notes that for fiscal year 2006, fully funding the budget request would have provided funding for 10 compacts, 3 amendments to existing compacts, continuation of the threshold country program, and administrative and audit expenses. With the reduction in funding necessary in fiscal year 2006, the Committee expects the MCC to eliminate funding for compact amendments in order to maximize the number of compacts for which funding will be available.
The Committee commends the MCC for consulting with the Committee as it has begun operations and initiated negotiating compacts with selected countries and urges the MCC to continue these consultations.
The Committee recognizes that the MCC identified the following countries as eligible for MCC assistance in fiscal years 2004 and 2005: Armenia, Benin, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Georgia, Ghana, Honduras, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Senegal, Sri Lanka, and Vanuatu.
To the extent that prior year resources are insufficient to fund quality compacts approved by the MCC Board, the Committee understands that these countries, as well as other countries not yet determined eligible, will compete for MCC eligibility and funding from the fiscal year 2006 appropriation. In July, 2004, the MCC identified 68 candidate countries competing for such resources, and the Committee understands that an even greater number of countries will be competing in fiscal year 2006.
The Committee continues to support MCC eligibility criteria and methodology for selecting eligible countries. The Committee expects that country selection by the MCC Board should continue to be an objective, non-politicized process to distinguish countries that are committed to sound development policies and that can use aid effectively from those countries that are not.
The Committee notes that the populations of the 17 eligible countries selected in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 total 170 million people with over 90 million living on less than $2 per day. Despite this poverty, these 17 countries are demonstrating a commitment to fighting corruption, investing in girls' education, allowing businesses to form and operate, and creating a better rule of law. The Committee notes that the MCC has created effective incentives in an additional 13 countries through its threshold country program affecting another 240 million of the world's poorest people.
The Committee has included a provision providing for authority to provide assistance to certain countries that miss MCC eligibility as defined in section 616 of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003. The Committee has included a limitation of 10 percent of funds again in 2006 for such activities.
The Committee reaffirms prior year report language on effective inter-agency cooperation and implementation of the threshold country assistance. In fiscal years 2004 and 2005, the Committee notes that the MCC identified the following countries as potential recipients of MCC threshold country assistance: Albania, Burkina Faso, East Timor, Guyana, Kenya, Malawi, Paraguay, the Philippines, Sa.AE6o Tome and Principe, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, and Zambia.
The Committee understands that threshold country assistance will be used to help countries address issues impeding MCC eligibility, and that these countries may earn eligibility status in fiscal year 2006 or subsequent fiscal years. The Committee expects threshold country assistance to reaffirm the incentives of the MCC eligibility process. The Committee directs the MCC and USAID to transparently disclose this process and justify it in the fiscal year 2007 budget submission.
The Committee continues to be concerned with the minimal budget information included in the MCC's Congressional Budget Justification (CBJ). For the fiscal year 2007 CBJ submission, the Committee directs the MCC to include actual and estimated information regarding the following information for fiscal years 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007: 1) number of employees and detailed estimates of administrative expenses, 2) number of compacts and details for each compact that include: funding at the program, project or activity level (including level of funding and activity per recipient), 3) level of funds transferred to other United States Government agencies, and 4) funds provided for threshold countries by country and program, project or activity. Additionally, the justification should identify countries in preceding fiscal years who were determined eligible by the Board and who expressed commitment, but for which the MCC was unable to engage in a compact negotiation because of limited resources. At a general level, the justification should describe the opportunity to generate economic growth and reduce poverty as well as how the country met or exceeded the eligibility criteria. The Committee directs the MCC to consult with the Committee prior to the submission of the CBJ to ensure that the preceding requirements are met.
The Committee includes again a provision that requires the MCC to only enter into compacts for which it has complete funding available from existing appropriations. The Committee does not want the MCC to commit future Congresses to funding prior year compacts.
The Committee recognizes that one objective of the MCC is reliance on country-led processes and proposals. The President and the Congress authorized and encouraged the MCC to pursue this approach, and the Committee continues to support this process as long as the MCC and developing countries recognize that it occurs in a context of accountability and effective use of foreign assistance. In the event of under-performance or misuse of MCC resources, the Committee directs the MCC Board to fully identify in advance the internal and external procedures it will use for purposes of suspension or termination of MCC assistance. The MCC shall consult with the Committee on such procedures by January 31, 2006 and provide supporting documentation.
Fiscal year 2006 is the first year in which the MCC will have the flexibility to begin a separate window of assistance of up to 25 percent of the appropriation for lower middle income countries. The Committee recognizes that this second group of countries would compete for grants among themselves, not with any countries in the first group, the least developed countries. The Committee requests that the MCC consult with the Committee on the number of lower middle income countries that could be considered candidate countries and the justification in terms of achievable poverty reduction prior to the announcement of candidate countries, consistent with the terms of the authorization Act.
The Committee believes that it is important for the MCC to provide a separate window of assistance for lower middle income countries even if the number of compacts is limited due to the scarcity of resources. The Committee understands that sharp disparities in income within developing countries can mask extreme poverty, yet the Committee believes that MCC can provide targeted interventions that would greatly reduce poverty. Because of their slightly greater income status, the Committee continues to support the requirement under section 609(b)(2) of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003, which requires such countries to make an incremental contribution relative to their national budget in support of the poverty reduction objectives of the compact.
The Committee is concerned about eligible countries in which the MCC must negotiate a compact around the national government because of corruption and deficiencies in the country's commitment to the rule of law. The Committee is aware that the MCC is currently negotiating the terms and implementation of a compact with the regional and local government in a specific country instead of the national government. The Committee believes that such negotiations in future must be limited or eliminated, therefore, upon enactment of this Act, the Committee directs the MCC to negotiate primarily with the national governments of eligible countries. In instances where the MCC determines that the national government of an eligible country is not an appropriate partner with which to negotiate compacts, the MCC must consult with the Committee immediately. For such countries, the Committee expects the MCC to further evaluate the appropriateness of its indicators and in these situations, the Committee directs the MCC to consider not only indexes of surveys, but also to assess current conditions and events.
The Committee remains concerned about the use of limited resources for the establishment of private equity funds, investment funds, or so-called development funds given the Committee's past experience and their historically low impact on the development of a country. Additionally, as required by the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003, compact funds may only be disbursed on a grant basis, thereby further distorting the investment incentives of a fund.
However, the Committee has agreed to the establishment of one pilot equity fund as part of one compact. The Committee expects to exercise its full oversight to determine if the fund is managed prudently, administrative costs are kept to a reasonable minimum, and investment in the country is stimulated as a result. Therefore the Committee directs the MCC to keep the Committee fully informed of the management and operation of this fund, as well as benchmarks and evaluations set up by the MCC, so that a future determination can be made.
The Committee expects that assistance provided to countries through compacts and the threshold country program be provided in a manner that focuses on establishing and upgrading the institutional capacities of developing countries. The Committee believes that long-term development cannot occur in a country without increasing local capacity, and therefore the Committee supports a focus on the creation of development programs that increase recipient-country participation in the planning of those programs, promote recipient-country ownership of programs, and build capacity within the recipient-country.
The Committee understands that strong participation from local civil society organizations is critical to increasing public support for and ensuring that the MCC successfully meets its intended goals of economic growth and poverty reduction. Such participation would also strengthen the nascent democratic processes in eligible countries and contribute to the MCC criteria of good governance. Meaningful civil society participation entails timely availability and access to critical information, organizing public fora to identify, discuss, and suggest civil society priorities and independent monitoring of government use of MCC funding. The Committee urges the MCC to use existing authorities and resources, if appropriate, to generate meaningful and independent participation of local civil society organizations, particularly during the compact development and oversight stage.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
The Committee appropriates $1,920,000,000 for the `Global HIV/AIDS Initiative' account, $546,080,000 more than enacted in fiscal year 2005 and $50,000,000 less than requested by the President. As in the previous year, the Committee appropriates all funding for the fifteen focus countries in this account.
INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL
The Committee recommends $437,400,000 for `International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement'. This is $86,474,000 less than the budget request and $111,211,000 above the fiscal year 2005 level, excluding the emergency supplemental appropriations Act. A limitation of $33,484,000 is recommended for administrative expenses
Organized crime and terrorist groups throughout the world have long used narcotics as a means to generate revenues to support armed conflict and the means to spread turmoil. The Committee continues to support a strong United States counternarcotics assistance program in order to protect United States communities from the ravages of drugs, but increasingly to deny drug profits that are often used to finance terrorist activities.
The Committee recommends no funding for Iraq programs, instead of $26,500,000 as requested. The Committee has not included these funds based on an understanding that over $5 billion in funds previously appropriated for Iraq reconstruction and relief remain unobligated and could be used to fund the requirements presented in the fiscal year 2006 request. Therefore, as an alternative to the appropriation of additional taxpayer dollars for this requirement, the Committee directs the Department of State to ensure that unobligated balances from funds originally appropriated for the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund (IRRF) in the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense and Reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan (Public Law 108-106) be used as necessary to finance the Iraq program requirements presented in the fiscal year 2006 budget request.
The President's request includes decreases for ongoing programs in Mexico, Central American countries and the Caribbean. The Committee disagrees with the Administration's funding allocation by country given the direct positive impact on the United States of narcotics eradication, drug interdiction and border security in these neighboring nations. Therefore, the Committee recommends funding in fiscal year 2006 at a level not less than the fiscal year 2005 level for each of these countries.
The Committee provides $40,000,000 for programs in Mexico, $10,000,000 above the President's request. The Committee supports the recent Security and Prosperity Partnership Initiative agreed to by the Presidents of Mexico and the United States as well as the Prime Minister of Canada. The Committee recommends an increase above the President's request specifically for additional non-intrusive inspection equipment, SENTRI lanes, or other physical infrastructure at United States/Mexico border crossing points with high volumes of agricultural trade, specifically fresh produce. The Committee requests a consultation on the use of these funds prior to their obligation.
The Committee notes that $220,000,000 was provided to the Department of State in the fiscal year 2005 emergency supplemental appropriations Act for opium poppy eradication, and heroin interdiction in Afghanistan. An additional $245,000,000 was provided under the heading `Economic Support Fund' in the same Act for alternative livelihoods in Afghanistan. According to the State Department, the fiscal year 2005 funds would allow the State trained eradication teams to eradicate manually 15,000 hectares in 2005. The Committee is aware that a lack of cooperation by the Afghan government at the local level and a lack of support by the Afghan government at the national level for United States-funded eradication teams has produced a situation in Afghanistan where the State Department eradication goals cannot feasibly be met.
The Committee therefore does not support fully funding the fiscal year 2006 request of $184,000,000 for counternarcotics support in Afghanistan and recommends a level of $135,000,000 in fiscal year 2006. The Committee directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of USAID, prior to the obligation of funds for this purpose to provide the Committee a report, with a classified annex if necessary, including the following information: the multi-year strategy of the United States Government in assisting the Government of Afghanistan in the fight against poppy cultivation and heroin trafficking including the provision of alternative livelihoods; a detailed list of the different responsibilities of the Department of Defense versus the Department of State as it relates to police training and assistance programs and counternarcotic programs; a description of the policy and program aimed at disrupting laboratories and shipments of opium paste and heroin; a description of the policy and program to train and deploy heliborne troops and laborers to conduct manual eradication; the status of the Afghan Government and State Department policies regarding aerial eradication; eradication goals estimated for each year; a detailed accounting of other donor assistance in the preceding 12 months for eradication, interdiction and the provision of alternative livelihoods; and a detailed accounting of air assets and operation and maintenance costs budgeted in its entirety for fiscal years 2005 and 2006.
The Committee notes that increased security, government presence in rural areas, and rural economic development in Afghanistan are the only long-term solutions for significant reduction of poppy production in Afghanistan.
The Committee directs the Secretary of State to consult with the Committee before participating in any renewed opium farmer compensation program in Afghanistan from funds under this heading or funds in this or prior appropriations Acts.
The Committee notes that $360,000,000 was provided in fiscal year 2005 emergency supplemental funds for police training programs in Afghanistan, yet funds for this same purpose in the fiscal year 2006 request are requested under the Department of Defense. The Committee expects that any funds in this or any prior Act that were appropriated under this heading for Afghanistan police training remain the fiscal and operational responsibility of the Department of State.
The Committee again includes a provision that $10,000,000 of the funds under this heading should be made available for demand reduction programs. As escalating drug use and abuse continue to take a devastating toll on the health, welfare, security, and economic stability of all nations, the importance of drug demand reduction has grown. The Committee expects that these funds would be used to contribute to the preservation of the stability of societies threatened by increasing drug abuse and minimizing the impact of international crime.
The Committee supports the President's request of $5,000,000 for programs to combat intellectual property piracy.
The Committee has again included a general provision, section 572, prohibiting counternarcotics assistance to the Government of Cuba. Full reporting and transparency by the Cuban Government and United States monitoring of the use of counternarcotics assistance in Cuba would be difficult if not impossible, according to the State Department, given Cuban general hostility toward the United States Government. Additionally, provision of assistance to the maritime drug interdiction force (the TGF) would, according to both Amnesty International and the State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, violate section 551 of this Act, the so-called Leahy amendment.
The Committee notes that the concept of anticorruption compacts was developed as a multilateral form of assistance at the G-8 Evian Summit in June 2003, yet funding for these compacts is requested again in 2006 as a bilateral program. While fighting corruption is integral to promoting economic growth overseas, the Committee remains concerned that the anticorruption compact concept was developed outside of the context of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Therefore the Committee has included no funds for this activity under this heading partly as a reflection of the Committee's allocation relative to the President's request and the need to address funding increases for other Presidential initiatives for 2006.
ANDEAN COUNTER DRUG INTITIATIVE
The Committee recommends $734,500,000 for the Andean Counterdrug Initiative, an amount equal to the request and $9,348,000 more than the 2005 level. The Andean Counterdrug Initiative is the continuation of the Administration's multi-year counterdrug assistance efforts designed to sustain and expand programs initially funded by Plan Colombia in the fiscal year 2000 emergency supplemental appropriations Act. A limitation of $19,015,000 is recommended for administrative expenses for the Department of State and $7,500,000 for USAID.
The Committee rejects the Administration's requested 16 percent reduction for eradication, interdiction and alternative development programs in Peru and expects last year's level of funding to be provided through reductions in the air bridge denial program and the new air assets program for Colombia and Bolivia.
The Committee notes the successes of Plan Colombia and the measurable improvements that have resulted in the everyday lives of the Colombian people. Since the start of Plan Colombia, coca cultivation has been reduced by one-third, the Government of Colombia has increased its security and police forces by 11,000 people since 2000, and for the first time in Colombian history, there is a police presence in all municipalities of the country. The improved security situation of Colombia cannot be doubted as the number of violent crimes has fallen drastically in the last five years. This increased security coupled with strong economic growth is proof that United States assistance to Colombia has shown measurable results.
The Committee notes that Plan Colombia was proposed and implemented as a 6-year program, to be complete by the end of 2005, yet the Committee has not been consulted by the Administration on its follow-up program to Plan Colombia. Therefore, the Committee directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of USAID, to report to the Committee no later than 60 days after enactment of this Act on the future, multi-year strategy of the United States assistance program to Colombia. The Committee expects this strategy to include all aspects of current and future United States assistance and detailed explanations for how the Colombian government will assume responsibility for maintaining more of Plan Colombia's assets.
The Committee again has extended the availability of funds provided for assistance for Colombia to support a unified campaign against narcotics trafficking, against activities by organizations designated as terrorist organizations, and to take actions to protect health and human welfare. The Committee directs the Secretary of State to consult with the Committee if the implementation of the expanded authorities changes from that described in the May 2003 report to Congress.
The Committee is concerned about the many levels of bureaucratic approval needed before the State Department's air assets can be used for program support or rescue operations, which is hindering efficient operations and possibly endangering human welfare. Additionally, the Committee has held the longstanding view that the Colombian Government immediately should begin the process of assuming the operational and maintenance functions of Plan Colombia's assets. Therefore, the Committee directs the Secretary of State to report back to the Committee no later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act, what actions are being taken by the Departments of State and Defense to transfer responsibilities for programs funded in this Act currently being executed by United States contractors to Colombian nationals.
The Committee notes the increased cost of oil and fuel as a leading factor in higher operating costs of the Colombian counternarcotics program. The Committee also notes that Colombia is a net exporter of oil with revenues from oil approaching $4,500,000,000 annually. Given that United States foreign assistance is being used to safeguard the Colombian oil supplies and pipelines, including $17,300,000 in fiscal year 2006 to operate air assets protecting the Arauca pipeline, the Committee expects the Government of Colombia to offset some of these increased costs given the increased revenues the Government of Colombia has collected as the price of oil has risen. The Committee directs the Secretary of State to report back to the Committee no later than 90 days after enactment of this Act on levels of revenue the Government of Colombia is devoting to offsetting the increased fuel prices borne by the United States as a result of Plan Colombia.
The Committee notes that there are no funds in the fiscal year 2006 budget request for demobilization of paramilitaries. The Committee has retained language requiring consultation and notification before the obligation of funds for this purpose.
The Committee directs the Secretary of State to transfer $5,000,000 to the Department of State's Bureau for Population, Refugees, and Migration to continue programs benefiting internally displaced persons programs in Colombia.
The Committee strongly supports USAID's continuing alternative development strategy that focuses on the historic underdevelopment of Colombia's outlying regions. The programs concentrate on local infrastructure needs (roads, electricity, water) and delivery of services at the community level. This focus on an entire community increases the social pressure for eradication and also helps organize the community to identify and prioritize local needs. It is the Committee's view that alternative development integrated with the presence of the state and the presence of law enforcement and security are fundamentally the key to long term peace and security in Colombia.
The Committee directs USAID to report back to the Committee no later than 60 days after enactment of this Act what detailed steps the Government of Colombia is taking to develop a comprehensive rural development strategy.
The Committee has not recommended funding for a new, fourth eradication team for Colombia because the President did not request this funding in fiscal year 2006 and due to the Committee's restrictive budgetary allocation relative to the President's request. The Committee notes that this recommendation is made without prejudice and is solely a result of pressures to fund other Presidential priorities.
The Committee is alarmed at the Administration's request for a 16 percent cut to eradication, interdiction and alternative development programs in Peru, especially at a time when there are reports of an upsurge in coca cultivation and new opium poppy cultivation in Peru. Therefore, the Committee directs that not less than $114,000,000 shall be available from funds under this heading for assistance for Peru, of which $61,000,000 shall be available for eradication and interdiction and $53,000,000 shall be available for alternative development and institution building. The Committee notes its support for `autoeradication', a pilot policy of voluntary eradication combined with the use of community development projects as an incentive for cooperation.
The Committee urges USAID to continue working with The Field Museum of Chicago on the Cordillera Azul National Park project in central Peru, an alternative community development and conservation education project that has already demonstrated effective use of ACI funds to prevent coca cultivation. The Committee directs that the balance of the grant, $1,398,000,000 in fiscal year 2006, be programmed over the remaining duration of the agreement to support community capacity building, education, land-use planning and zoning, park protection, and park maintenance.
The Committee recommends not less than $2,000,000 from this account for Tibetan refugees in Nepal and India. The Committee remains concerned about the situation of Tibetan refugees transiting through Nepal to resettlement in India, and in particular the recent decision by Nepal to close two Tibetan-run offices in Kathmandu that provide vital services to refugees. In light of recent events in Nepal, the Committee expects that the Government of Nepal will fulfill its commitment to provide safe passage to Tibetans fleeing repression in their homeland, and respect the rights of the legally resident Tibetan refugee community that lives in Nepal.
The Committee supports $40,000,000 for humanitarian migrants from the former Soviet Union and other countries of distress resettling in Israel. Since 1989, Israel has accepted more than one million such migrants. The Committee remains strongly committed to assisting the resettlement of Russian, Ethiopian and other humanitarian migrants in Israel. The Committee notes that the number of migrants resettling in Israel has dramatically declined in recent years, from nearly 54,000 in the year 2000 to a projected 13,000 in 2005. The Committee commends the Jewish Agency for Israel for its decision--in coordination with the Government of Israel--to bring to Israel over the next three years all eligible humanitarian migrants still residing in Ethiopia.
As the humanitarian emergencies in Darfur, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda demonstrate, sexual exploitation and violence against women and girls is a continuing problem among internally displaced and refugee populations. The Committee urges the Department of State to scale up resources to address these critical issues, and requests that the Department provide, not later than 120 days following enactment of this Act, a report on United States Government funding from this account during fiscal year 2005 and proposed during fiscal year 2006 for programs that target gender-based violence.
The Committee is disappointed again this year that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has not admitted the Magen David Adom Society of Israel to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, but notes that steps have been taken in this direction. The Committee is recommending a continuation of bill language that would withhold the annual headquarters contribution made by the Department of State unless the Magen David Adom Society is given the opportunity to participate in the activities of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. This limitation will not, and is not intended to, restrict funding for humanitarian assistance programs that may be programmed through the ICRC using other funds provided in this account. It is only intended to affect the funding the United States provides on an annual basis to the ICRC bureaucracy in Geneva.
While long-term stability in the Gaza Strip requires the Palestinian Authority to be the main provider of services to the Palestinian people, the Committee recognizes that progress toward stability and development in the Palestinian territories must involve the cooperation and participation of UNRWA. The Committee also urges the Department of State to work with UNRWA, the Palestinian Authority, and other bilateral donors to ensure coordination in the development plan for the Palestinian Territories, especially the Gaza Strip.
The Committee recommends $122,500,000 for Anti-Terrorism Assistance, an increase of $4,700,000 over the fiscal year 2005 enacted level. This program, run by the State Department's Diplomatic Security officials under the policy direction of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, provides training and skills, technical assistance, and equipment to improve professionalism and capability in the War on Terrorism.
The Committee recommends $10,000,000 for the Slovenian International Trust Fund, the same as the budget request. The Committee continues to support the work of the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victim Assistance to make the Balkans mine-safe. The Committee directs that such amounts may be deposited into that fund only to the extent matching amounts are deposited by other governments, entities, or persons. In addition, these funds may only be expended by the fund in consultation with the United States Government.
The Committee continues to support the work of the Department of State, the Department of Justice and the Department of Treasury in assisting countries whose financial systems are assessed to be at risk to terrorist financing. The Committee requests that not later than 60 days after enactment, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Treasury, provide a comprehensive report of all funds in function 150 provided for counterterrorism financing in fiscal years 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 and include an accounting of obligations and expenditure rates to date.
The Committee urges the Secretary of State to consider the Department of Treasury's Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) as implementers for programs funded with assistance provided under this heading given OTA's outstanding history of improving financial systems in numerous post-conflict and developing countries.
The Committee recommends $86,744,000 for the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program as requested and $2,268,000 below the 2005 level.
IMET is part of the overall United States security assistance program, and through it the United States Government provides training to predominantly military students from allied and friendly nations. The IMET program exposes students to the United States professional military establishment and the American way of life, including democratic values and rule of law, and respect for individual and human rights. In 1990, Congress directed the Department of Defense to establish a program within IMET--called Expanded-IMET or `E-IMET' focused on training foreign civilian and military officials in three areas: managing and administering military establishments and budgets; creating and maintaining effective military judicial systems and military codes of conduct, and fostering greater respect for the principle of civilian control of the military.
The Committee is concerned that the recent uprising in Uzbekistan may have been met with a disproportionate military response. The Committee understands that there is a potential concern that members of the military who may have been involved with this response could have been previous recipients of IMET. The Committee believes the Department of State and the Department of Defense should review this potential concern before proceeding with the fiscal year 2006 IMET program for Uzbekistan.
The Committee recognizes the country of Greece as a friend and ally and urges at least $2,000,000 in funding assistance for Greece from the funds appropriated under this heading.
The Committee recommends $4,442,300,000 for the Foreign Military Financing Program, $300,732,000 below the fiscal year 2005 level and $146,400,000 below the fiscal year 2006 request. The Foreign Military Financing (FMF) assistance program provides grants for the acquisition of United States defense equipment, services and training. The FMF program enables key allies and friendly nations to improve defensive capabilities, and fosters bilateral military relationships with the United States and interoperability with United States forces.
The Committee recommends a total FMF program of not less than $2,280,000,000 in grants for Israel, which shall be available within 30 days of enactment of this Act. This amount is the same as the fiscal year 2006 budget request and $60,000,000 over the fiscal year 2005 level.
The Committee remains committed to helping Israel maintain security. Therefore, the Committee is convinced the United States must make every effort to carry out its long-standing policy of ensuring that Israel's technological edge is maintained.
The Committee recommends a total FMF program of $206,000,000 for Jordan. This amount is the same as the fiscal year 2006 budget request and the same as the fiscal year 2005 level.
The Committee strongly supports the Administration's efforts to improve Jordanian security. Under the leadership of King Abdullah, Jordan plays a critical role in supporting peace and security in the Middle East. The Committee is well aware that Jordan's security requirements are extensive, particularly in the areas of ground force modernization and border security.
The Committee recommends a total FMF program of $1,300,000,000 in grants for Egypt, which shall be transferred within 30 days of enactment of this Act. This amount is the same as the fiscal year 2006 budget request and the same as the fiscal year 2005 level.
The Committee is convinced that continued military cooperation between Egypt and the United States remains in the national security interests of both countries.
The Committee recommends a FMF program of $5,000,000, as requested for each of the countries of Armenia and Azerbaijan. In addition, the Committee supports IMET assistance levels of $750,000 for both countries as requested.
The Committee recommends a total FMF program of $220,000,000 for Pakistan, $70,000,000 more than the fiscal year 2005 level and $80,000,000 less than the fiscal year 2006 request.
The Committees notes that Pakistan has been a reliable ally of the United States in the War on Terrorism and this reduction is not a reflection of a lessening of the Committee's appreciation for Pakistan's support. Rather, the intention of the reduction is to call into question what is clearly the Administration's plan to incrementally finance Pakistan's foreign military acquisition program. It has long been the position of the Committee on Appropriations that full funding of the acquisition of weapons systems provides budgetary accountability, transparency, and accuracy in determining taxpayer debt. The Committee directs the Department of State and the Department of Defense, to review the Pakistan FMF program to ensure full funding of weapons systems acquisition.
The Committee recommends a total FMF program of $4,400,000 for Turkey, $29,600,000 less than the fiscal year 2005 level and $20,800,000 less than the fiscal year 2006 request.
The Committee notes that Turkey has been a reliable ally of the United States in the War on Terrorism and this reduction is not a reflection of a lessening of the Committee's appreciation for Turkey's support. Rather, the reduction is applied to the logistics support for Turkey's armed forces due to a lack of sufficient justification. The Committee hopes that such justification will be provided in the future.
The Committee recommends no FMF program for Uzbekistan, $11,000,000 less than the fiscal year 2005 level and $4,000,000 less than the 2006 request.
The Committee recommends this reduction based on the changing circumstances in Uzbekistan, which the Committee believes should not be rewarded with the FMF request contained in the 2006 request.
The Committee recommends a total FMF program of $15,000,000, $5,000,000 each, for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as requested. Previous years' funding has significantly supported the commendable efforts of these countries to attain Western military standards and to improve their capacities to contribute to international security through the provision of peacekeepers for international peacekeeping missions.
The Committee recommends no FMF program for Guatemala, the same as the fiscal year 2005 level and $500,000 less than the 2006 request. The Committee retains language carried in previous legislation that prohibits the expenditure of FMF funds to Guatemala.
The Committee strongly supports the efforts of the civilian authorities in Indonesia to promote the rule of law, including efforts to exert control over the Indonesian military forces (TNI). It is critical that the Government of the United States closely monitor the use and dissemination of assistance under the FMF program for Indonesia. The restoration of the FMF program for Indonesia in no way signals dcreased concern about the poor human rights record of the Indonesian military forces and is intended only as a sign of measured support for the continuing efforts of the civilian Government of Indonesia to bring the Indonesian military forces under control. Congress has restricted the FMF program for Indonesia since fiscal year 2000, conditioning the provision of assistance under the FMF program for Indonesia on the budget transparency of the Indonesian military forces and accountability and justice for gross human rights violations. The Committee directs the Secretary of State to submit to Congress, not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, a report on the progress of the Government of Indonesia in achieving the benchmarks specified in section 572 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2005.
The Committee recommends no FMF financing of a new initiative entitled, Operation Enduring Friendship. The Committee believes the justification of this program was not sufficient to warrant an appropriation of $5,000,000 as requested in 2006.
The Committee recommends $40,500,000 for FMF administrative expenses, the same level as 2005 and a reduction of $2,500,000 from the 2006 request.
The Committee continues prior year language that requires that Foreign Military Financing funds be expended at the minimum rate necessary to make timely payments for defense articles and services. In addition, it continues language providing that such funds shall be obligated upon apportionment in order to allow for the orderly execution of program funds.
The Committee retains language that requires recipients of Foreign Military Financing grants to sign agreements with the United States prior to using FMF funds to finance the procurement of any item not sold by the United States under the Arms Export Control Act.
The Committee retains language that prohibits military assistance to Guatemala, and Sudan. The Administration did not request FMF appropriations for these nations for fiscal year 2005.
The fiscal year 2006 budget request included $196,000,000 for United States Peacekeeping Operations to support multilateral peacekeeping and regional stability operations that are not funded through mechanisms of the United Nations. The Committee recommends a total of $177,800,000 for Peacekeeping Operations, a reduction of $18,200,000 from the request.
Africa.--Wihin the amount provided, not less than $78,800,000, as requested, is for the Africa Regional Peacekeeping program and the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program.
Multinational Force Observers (MFO).--Within the amount provided, not less than $19,000,000, as requested, is for the MFO program to support, among other initiatives, the ongoing peace efforts in the Middle East. 2005 level
Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI).--In fiscal year 2005, the Administration launched a new approach within the Peacekeeping Operations account: the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI). The goal of this five-year program is to increase the capacity of countries to deploy to international peace support operations by training 75,000 peace support troops worldwide, increase the number of gendarme units deployable to international operations and facilitate deployments by providing equipment and transportation for these peacekeeping units. In fiscal year 2006, the budget included a total request of $114,400,000 for GPOI. The Committee recommends a total of $96,400,000, a reduction of $18,000,000 from the request for this effort.
The Committee's reduction should not be viewed as a disapproval of this initiative because the Committee is supportive of the effort to expand the number of peace support troops and gendarme units for multilateral peacekeeping and regional stability operations. The Committee believes that through this effort, the United States can reduce the emphasis on the use of military troops for these operations. The reduction of $18,000,000 from the request is simply a recognition of issues associated with the establishment of a new initiative and the view that not all of the $63,000,000 requested for equipment and transportation requirements for the `beyond Africa' component of GPOI can be obligated and expended in 2006.
The Committee recommends no appropriation in fiscal year 2006 for the Global Environment Facility (GEF), administered by the World Bank. The Committee is disappointed to learn that the GEF has backed away from its 2002 multilateral agreement to implement a performance-based allocation system. The GEF is a grant-making international financial institution, and every concessional international financial institution of which the United States is a donor is implementing a system where governance, performance, and other measurable results are key determinants in how each institution distributes its grants. Without such a system, the Committee has no assurance that United States taxpayer's dollars are being used efficiently, effectively or in a transparent manner. Given the difficulty with which the United States Government conducts oversight of multilateral institutions, it is imperative that each institution, including the GEF, implement the series of reforms to which it has agreed. Until the GEF adopts a performance-based allocation system, the Committee can recommend no funding for this institution.
The Committee is providing $950,000,000 for the entire regularly scheduled United States contribution to the International Development Association (IDA), the same as the request and $106,800,000 more than the 2005 enacted level. The recommended level is intended for the first of three payments under the United States commitment to the fourteenth replenishment of IDA.
The Committee supports the President's goal to designated 50 percent of IDA resources for grants to the poorest nations for critical needs such as health and education spending and 100 percent grants for HIPC countries. Given the unending cycle of unsustainable debt levels in the poorest countries, the Committee supports the Secretary of Treasury's position in the negotiations for the fourteenth replenishment of IDA. Grants programs are well-established in IDA and the African Development Fund (AfDF), and the Committee is encouraged by the new grant program in the Asian Development Fund (AsDF).
The Committee remains concerned about the expansion of the Bank's focus from development functions to humanitarian lending, health activities, cultural projects, disarmament activities, and post-conflict reconstruction. Without a focus, the Bank risks losing any comparative advantage in the developing world, will duplicate bilateral donor assistance, and reduce its effectiveness. The Committee continues to believe that the World Bank and other multilateral development banks should have a clear set of objectives with the top priority to raise the standard of living of people throughout the world. The Committee supports the Treasury Department's attempts to focus the World Bank's core objective on raising per capita income and economic growth.
The Committee again requests copies of all annual reports and information about the basic functions of each institution as they become available, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Future and continued support for the banks cannot be guaranteed unless future requests are justified by the Department of Treasury as well as the management of each individual institution.
The Committee is concerned about the recent trend of providing World Bank loans and grants through budget support in lieu of project level support. The Committee believes that providing assistance by means of budget support should be employed only as an emergency measure and, if excessive or frequent, can undermine the principle of encouraging countries to become fiscally responsible and good stewards of internal resources. Furthermore, it thwarts the Committee's ability to effectively monitor implementation of foreign assistance to ensure effective expenditure of appropriated dollars. Future support for funding increases of the World Bank and the other MDBs cannot be guaranteed if the MDBs increase their reliance further on budget support. The Committee directs the Secretary of Treasury to consult with the Committee before any changes in budget support ceilings are adopted by any of the MDBs.
The Committee has been pleased at the level of transparency reforms that the Secretary of the Treasury has instigated at the multilateral development banks. Specifically these reforms have been key in the fight against corruption at all levels of the Bank's operations. However, the Committee is dismayed to learn that the World Bank is considering the implementation of the proposal paper entitled `Increasing the Use of Country Systems in Procurement' that would effectively reverse the trend by the World Bank to standardize and harmonize procurement procedures among the regional MDBs. The Committee had been encouraged by the development of the World Bank's procurement guidelines over the last few years, that while not perfect, have helped create an international standard for procurement that is focused on transparency, international competitive bidding, and fair dispute resolution. The Committee was encouraged by recent efforts by the InterAmerican Development Bank and the Asian Development Bank to begin adopting these standard procedures.
The Committee has long determined that transparent procurement procedures are the primary means to fight and lessen corruption at the MDBs. Any backtracking on such transparency and uniformity in such guidelines will be viewed by the Committee as an attempt by the World Bank to lessen anticorruption measures.
The language included in section 582 of this Act would withhold 25 percent of the funds for the World Bank's International Development Association until the Secretary of Treasury certifies that the proposal to use local country procurement rules and systems for World Bank loans and grants is not being implemented. Additionally, section 582 would reinforce a strong central procurement office at the World Bank, and an office that has lost staff and influence over the past 10 years, and an office that is necessary in a context where corruption and graft can flourish. Additionally section 582 would require the World Bank to establish procurement thresholds for international competitive bidding. Such thresholds have eroded over the past few years, thereby allowing de facto local country procurement to occur at a greater pace. Finally, section 582 would require advertisement of bank-funded tenders on a much broader basis, something that is currently limited to international competitive bidding. The Committee expects that transparency should be the goal of all World Bank procurement not just that which is internationally bid.
The Committee expects that the term `loans' as used in section 582 is defined to include IBRD loans as well as IDA credit agreement or grants and project preparation advances, and `World Bank procurement guidelines' include following World Bank Guidelines: Procurement Under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits; Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers; and, all relevant Standard Bidding Documents applicable to World Bank-funded tenders.
The Committee recommends a level not less than $110,000,000 in International Organizations and Programs funding be used to support the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), $15,000,000 more than the request and $1,872,000 more than provided in 2004.
UNICEF is an essential partner of the United States in achieving child survival and health objectives, especially those in the areas of immunization, HIV/AIDS, and early childhood development. The Committee recommendation includes not less than $127,000,000 for a contribution to UNICEF. This does not preclude USAID from providing additional funding for specific UNICEF projects.
The Committee supports a total of $5,000,000 for the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) including a $3,500,000 contribution to the Fund and a $1,500,000 contribution to the Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence Against Women. This level is $4,050,000 above the request and $2,020,000 more than provided in the 2005 Act.
The Committee notes the importance of UNEP's work in restoring and preserving environmental quality in the Palestinian territories.
The Committee notes the historical and archeological value of the restoration of the Phnom Bakheng temple in the Angkor Wat complex in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and supports continued United States government funding to this critical international effort.
The Committee recommends the following new and revised general provisions:
Sec. 507, `Prohibition Against Direct Funding for Certain Countries', is modified by exempting Libya from the prohibition against Export-Import Bank programs.
Sec. 517, `Independent States of the Former Soviet Union' is modified by including subsection (a) of the fiscal year 2005 House bill, and by deleting `Georgia' and `Ukraine' and adding `Kazakhstan' and `Uzbekistan' to the list of notification countries.
Sec. 520, `Special Notification Requirements' is modified to delete Liberia and Cambodia.
Sec. 522, `Child Survival and Health Activities' is revised by deleting the earmark for family planning/reproductive health.
Sec. 523, `Afghanistan' is modified by changing the number to $954,000,000 and by deleting all earmarks except $50,000,000 for Afghan women and girls.
Sec. 525, `HIV/AIDS' is modified by requiring an assessment based on strengthening the results-based disbursement system and support to country-level monitoring mechanisms.
Sec. 526, `Democracy Programs' is modified by reverting to language, similar to subsections (d) and (e) of the fiscal year 2005 Act, providing not less than $27,000,000 of Economic Support Funds for the Human Rights and Democracy Fund; up to $1,200,000 for the Reagan/Fascell Democracy Fellows Program; up to $1,500,000 for democracy and human rights program in Iran and Syria, including through the National Endowment for Democracy.
Sec. 531, `Financial Market Assistance in Transition Countries' is a new general provision that designates a minimum level of $40,000,000 to be provided for helping countries in transition build and improve capital markets and financial market systems. Effective and efficient financial markets are vital cornerstones of economic development. Countries in transition need technical assistance building and developing stock exchanges, central banks, financial regulatory institutions and private financial intermediaries. The Committee strongly supports the work of not for profit organizations and volunteers with experience in the private sector in developing countries.
Among the work that outside technical experts can help with is developing a legal and regulatory framework for financial systems, advancing sound policies and procedures for corporate governance, developing payments systems, promoting pension system reforms and combating money laundering. The Committee affirms the principle of rigorous competitive selection of proposals based on technical merit.
Sec. 534, `Special Authorities', is modified by including a new subsection (j), `Extension of Authority', which provides technical changes to Public Law 107-57, and by deleting subsections (i) through (p) of the fiscal year 2005 Act.
Sec. 535, `Arab League Boycott of Israel', is modified by to take into account that some Arab League countries have normalized relations with Israel since the passage of the fiscal year 2005 Act.
Sec. 539, `Prohibition on Publicity and Propaganda', is modified by deleting the limitation of $750,000 to carry out section 316 of Public Law 96-533.
Sec. 549, `Haiti' is modified by reverting to fiscal year 2005 House language.
Sec. 552, `Authorization Requirement', is modified by deleting `Millennium Challenge Corporation'.
Sec. 554, `Cambodia' is modified by deleting all after the first subsection in the 2005 Act.
Sec. 556, `Colombia' is modified by deleting the notwithstanding authority provided in subsection (a) of the 2005 Act.
Sec. 559, `West Bank and Gaza Program', is modified to conform to amendments made in the fiscal year 2005 emergency supplemental, providing for a mandatory GAO audit of fiscal year 2006 Economic Support Funds for the West Bank and Gaza Program.
Sec. 560, `Contributions to the United Nations Population Fund' is identical to section 560 of the fiscal year 2005 Act except for technical date changes and the deletion of a subsection providing for reprogramming of fiscal year 2003 and 2004 funds.
Sec. 567, `Basic Education' is modified to establish a minimum level within title II of this Act for basic education programs of $465,000,000 and to require an analysis of United States basic education programs.
Sec. 568, `Reconciliation Programs' is modified by changing a `shall' to a `should' and raising the figure to $15,000,000.
Sec. 569, `Sudan' is modified by raising the dollar figure to $367,000,000 from title II, exempting support for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement from restrictions under this section, deleting a notification requirement, and clarifying regional definitions. Subsections (g) and (h) of the fiscal year 2005 Act, making available emergency appropriations and providing for technical changes, are deleted.
Sec. 570, `Trade Capacity Building' is modified to establish a minimum level of $522,000,000 from certain accounts of this Act.
Sec. 571, `Excess Defense Articles for Central and South European Countries and Certain Other Countries' is modified by adding `Afghanistan' and `Iraq'.
Sec. 572, `Cuba' is the same general provision as included in the House-Reported Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs Bill, 2005 and prohibits counternarcotics assistance in this Act to the Government of Cuba.
Sec. 573, `Gender-Based Violence Training' is a new general provision requiring that police, judicial and military training funded by this Act shall include training on gender-based violence. A report on the implementation of this section is required.
Sec. 574, `Limitation on Economic Support Fund Assistance for Certain Foreign Governments That Are Parties to the International Criminal Court' is modified by including a Presidential national interest waiver authority.
Sec. 575, `Tibet' is modified by deleting the earmark for the National Endowment for Democracy in subsection (b).
Sec. 576, `Central America' is modified by deleting all after subsection (a) of the fiscal year 2005 Act.
Sec. 577, `United States Agency for International Development Management', is modified by increasing the level in subsection (a) to $75,000,000, deleting the limitation on employment in the United States, deleting the consultation requirement of subsection (c)(2), and removing the clarifying authority of subsection (g).
Sec. 578, `HIPC Debt Reduction' is modified to include, for Liberia, debt under the Lend-Lease Act of 1941.
Sec. 579, `OPIC Transfer Authority' is a new general provision that allows up to $20,000,000 appropriated under Title II of this Act to be transferred to and merged with funds appropriated to OPIC's Program Account.
Sec. 580, `Conflict Response', is a new general provision clarifying that the Secretary of State may transfer up to $100,000,000 in order to support reconstruction and stabilization assistance.
Sec. 581, `Rescission', is a new general provision rescinding $64,000,000 in previously appropriated funds.
Sec. 582, `Anticorruption Provisions', is a new general provision conditioning 25 percent of `International Development Association' funding on a certification that the World Bank is not changing its procurement system in ways which reduce transparency, accountability, and competition.
The following general provisions from the fiscal year 2005 Act are retained in the fiscal year 2006 Act unchanged except for technical corrections, references to fiscal year 2006, and new section numbers where appropriate:
Sec. 501. Compensation for United States Executive Directors to International Financial Institutions.
Sec. 502. Restrictions on Voluntary Contributions to United Nations Agencies.
Sec. 503. Limitation on Residence Expenses.
Sec. 504. Limitation on Expenses.
Sec. 505. Limitation on Representational Allowances.
Sec. 506. Prohibition on Taxation of United States Assistance.
Sec. 508. Military Coups.
Sec. 509. Transfers.
Sec. 510. Commercial Leasing of Defense Articles.
Sec. 511. Availability of Funds.
Sec. 512. Limitation on Assistance to Countries in Default.
Sec. 513. Commerce and Trade.
Sec. 514. Surplus Commodities.
Sec. 515. Notification Requirements.
Sec. 516. Limitation on Availability of Funds for International Organizations and Programs.
Sec. 518. Prohibition on Funding for Abortions and Involuntary Sterilization.
Sec. 519. Export Financing Transfer Authorities.
Sec. 521. Definition of Program, Project, and Activity.
Sec. 524. Notification of Excess Defense Equipment.
Sec. 527. Prohibition on Bilateral Assistance to Terrorist Countries.
Sec. 528. Debt-For-Development.
Sec. 529. Separate Accounts.
Sec. 530. Enterprise Fund Restrictions.
Sec. 532. Authorities for the Peace Corps, Inter-American Foundation and African Development Foundation.
Sec. 533. Impact on Jobs in the United States.
Sec. 536. Eligibility for Assistance.
Sec. 537. Reservations of Funds.
Sec. 538. Ceilings and Earmarks.
Sec. 540. Prohibition of Payments to United Nations Members.
Sec. 541. Nongovernmental Organizations--Documentation.
Sec. 542. Prohibition on Assistance to Foreign Governments that Export Lethal Military Equipment to Countries Supporting International Terrorism.
Sec. 543. Withholding of Assistance for Parking Fines Owed by Foreign Governments.
Sec. 544. Limitation on Assistance for the PLO for the West Bank and Gaza.
Sec. 545. War Crimes Tribunals Drawdown.
Sec. 546. Landmines.
Sec. 547. Restrictions Concerning the Palestinian Authority.
Sec. 548. Prohibition of Payment of Certain Expenses.
Sec. 550. Limitation on Assistance to the Palestinian Authority.
Sec. 551. Limitation on Assistance to Security Forces.
Sec. 552. Foreign Military Training Report.
Sec. 555. Palestinian Statehood.
Sec. 557. Illegal Armed Groups.
Sec. 558. Prohibition on Assistance to the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation.
Sec. 561. War Criminals.
Sec. 562. User Fees.
Sec. 563. Serbia.
Sec. 564. Community Based Police Assistance.
Sec. 565. Special Debt Relief for the Poorest.
Sec. 566. Authority to Engage in Debt Buybacks or Sales.
AMENDMENTS
1. H.AMDT.371 to reduce funds for administrative expenses of the
Export-Import Bank by $5,000,000, and increase funding for International
Narcotics Control and Law enforcement by the same amount.
Sponsor: Rep Hooley, Darlene [OR-5] (introduced 6/28/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/28/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Hooley amendment (A001) Agreed to by voice vote.
2. H.AMDT.372 to reduce the funding for military aid to Egypt by $750
million and to transfer the $750 million to accounts for child survival and
health programs under USAID.
Sponsor: Rep Pitts, Joseph R. [R-PA-16] (introduced 6/28/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/28/2005 House amendment not agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Pitts amendment (A002) Failed by recorded vote: 87 - 326.
4. H.AMDT.374 to reduce and then increase the funding for the Global
HIV/AIDS Initiative by $1 million.
Sponsor: Rep King, Steve [R-IA-5] (introduced 6/28/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/28/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the King (IA) amendment (A004) Agreed to by voice vote.
5. H.AMDT.375 to reduce by $100 million, the bill's $735 million for
the Andean Counterdrug Initiative (Plan Colombia).
Sponsor: Rep McGovern, James P. [D-MA-3] (introduced 6/28/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/28/2005 House amendment not agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the McGovern amendment (A005) Failed by recorded vote: 189 - 234 (Roll
no. 329).
6. H.AMDT.376 to shift $7 million in funding from the
nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, de-mining and related programs account to the
Small Arms/Light Weapons Destruction initiative.
Sponsor: Rep Royce, Edward R. [CA-40] (introduced 6/28/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/28/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Royce amendment (A006) Agreed to by voice vote.
7. H.AMDT.377 to increase funding for the Human Rights and Democracy
Fund by $9 million.
Sponsor: Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] (introduced 6/28/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/28/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Schiff amendment (A007) Agreed to by voice vote.
8. H.AMDT.378 to insert a new section providing a limitation on
assistance to foreign countries that refuse to extradite to the United States
any individual accused in the United States of killing a law enforcement
officer.
Sponsor: Rep Beauprez, Bob [CO-7] (introduced 6/28/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/28/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Beauprez amendment (A008) Agreed to by recorded vote: 327 - 98 (Roll
no. 330).
9. H.AMDT.379 to prohibit use of funds in the bill for direct funding
for Saudi Arabia.
Sponsor: Rep Weiner, Anthony D. [D-NY-9] (introduced 6/28/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/28/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Weiner amendment (A009) Agreed to by recorded vote: 293 - 132 (Roll
no. 331).
11. H.AMDT.381 to prohibit any of the funds made available in the Act
from being used by the Export-Import Bank of the United States to approve an
application for a long-term loan or loan guarantee with respect to a nuclear
project in the People's Republic of China.
Sponsor: Rep Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (introduced 6/28/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/28/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Sanders amendment (A011) Agreed to by recorded vote: 313 - 114 (Roll
no. 332).
12. H.AMDT.382 to H.R.3057 An amendment to prohibit any of the funds
made available in the Act for the Department of State, other than funds provided
under the heading "International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement", from
being used to provide assistance to any country with whom the United States has
an extradition treaty and whose government has notified the Department of State
of its refusal to extradite to the United States any individual accused of
committing a criminal offense for which the maximum penalty is life imprisonment
without the possibility of parole, or a lesser term of imprisonment.
Sponsor: Rep Deal, Nathan [GA-10] (introduced 6/28/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/28/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Deal (GA) amendment (A012) Agreed to by recorded vote: 294 - 132
(Roll no. 333).
13. H.AMDT.383 to prohibit funds made available in the Act from being
used to transfer excess property of an agency of the United States Government to
the Government of Haiti.
Sponsor: Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] (introduced 6/28/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/28/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Lee amendment (A013) Agreed to by voice vote.
14. H.AMDT.384 to prohibit funds appropriated in the Act under the
heading "Assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States" from being
obligated or expended for assistance to Romania under the Support for East
European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989.
Sponsor: Rep Bradley, Jeb [NH-1] (introduced 6/28/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/28/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Bradley (NH) amendment (A014) Agreed to by voice vote.
16. H.AMDT.386 to prohibit funds made available in the Act from being
used to send or otherwise pay for the attendance of more than 50 employees of a
Federal department or agency at any single conference occurring outside the
United States.
Sponsor: Rep Garrett, Scott [NJ-5] (introduced 6/28/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/28/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Garrett (NJ) amendment (A016) Agreed to by voice vote.
18. H.AMDT.388 to withhold $66,200,000 in funds from the Export-Import
Bank while there is a vacancy in the position of the head of the Office of
Inspector General in the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
Sponsor: Rep Bonilla, Henry [TX-23] (introduced 6/28/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/28/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Bonilla amendment (A018) Agreed to by voice vote.
21. H.AMDT.391 to reduce total appropriations made in the Act (other
that appropriations required to be made by a provision of law) by $202,700,000.
Sponsor: Rep Hefley, Joel [CO-5] (introduced 6/28/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/28/2005 House amendment not agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Hefley amendment (A022) Failed by recorded vote: 117 - 309 (Roll
no. 334).
26. S.AMDT.1229 to H.R.3057 To extend the United States Advisory
Commission on Public Diplomacy until October 1, 2006.
Sponsor: Sen Martinez, Mel [R-FL] (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors
(2)
Latest Major Action: 7/18/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1229 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
27. S.AMDT.1230 to H.R.3057 Of a technical nature relating to Iraq.
Sponsor: Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/18/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1230 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
28. S.AMDT.1231 to H.R.3057 To provide an exception for activities of
the Overseas Private Investment Corporation in Libya.
Sponsor: Sen McConnell, Mitch [R-KY] (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/18/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1231 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
29. S.AMDT.1232 to H.R.3057 Of a technical nature relating to foreign
nongovernmental organizations.
Sponsor: Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/18/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1232 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
30. S.AMDT.1233 to H.R.3057 Of a technical nature relating to a
reporting requirements.
Sponsor: Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/18/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1233 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
31. S.AMDT.1234 to H.R.3057 Of a clarifying nature relating to
assistance for Pakistan.
Sponsor: Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/18/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1234 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
32. S.AMDT.1235 to H.R.3057 To provide certain assistance to the North
Caucasus.
Sponsor: Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [VT] (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/18/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1235 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
35. S.AMDT.1238 to H.R.3057 To combat piracy of United States
copyrighted materials.
Sponsor: Sen Allen, George [VA] (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors
(1)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1238 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
36. S.AMDT.1239 to H.R.3057 to express the sense of the Senate
regarding abusive child labor practices in the growing and processing of cocoa.
Sponsor: Sen Harkin, Tom [D-IA] (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/18/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1239 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
38. S.AMDT.1241 to H.R.3057 To prohibit funds from being made
available to the United States Agency for International Development for
entertainment expenses.
Sponsor: Sen Coburn, Tom [R-OK] (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1241 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 59 - 40. Record Vote
Number: 193.
39. S.AMDT.1242 to H.R.3057 To prohibit any funds from being used by
the Export-Import Bank of the United States to approve a loan or a loan
guarantee related to a nuclear project in China.
Sponsor: Sen Coburn, Tom [R-OK] (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors
(1)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment not agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1242 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 37 - 62. RV192.
42. S.AMDT.1245 to H.R.3057 To express the sense of the Senate
regarding the use of funds for orphans, and displaced and abandoned children.
Sponsor: Sen Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA] (introduced 7/18/2005)
Cosponsors (5)
Latest Major Action: 7/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1245 as modified agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 98 - 0.
Record Vote Number: 195.
45. S.AMDT.1248 to H.R.3057 To encourage assistance for programs to
address protracted refugee situations.
Sponsor: Sen Lieberman, Joseph I. [D-CT] (introduced 7/18/2005)
Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major Action: 7/18/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1248 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
46. S.AMDT.1249 to H.R.3057 Of a technical nature relating to Nepal.
Sponsor: Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/18/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1249 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
47. S.AMDT.1250 to H.R.3057 To prohibit the use of funds to approve or
administer a loan or guarantee for certain ethanol dehydration plants.
Sponsor: Sen Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] (introduced 7/18/2005)
Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Proposed amendment SA 1250 withdrawn in
Senate.
49. S.AMDT.1252 to H.R.3057 To require a report on assistance for
United States citizens who are victims of crime in foreign countries.
Sponsor: Sen Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [D-DE] (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1252 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
50. S.AMDT.1253 to H.R.3057 To require an annual report on
anti-retroviral drug procurement. (Note: Retroviral drugs are HIV/AIDS drugs)
Sponsor: Sen Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI] (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1253 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
51. S.AMDT.1254 to H.R.3057 To support democracy and governance
activities in Zimbabwe.
Sponsor: Sen Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI] (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1254 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
52. S.AMDT.1255 to H.R.3057 To extend the termination date of Office
of the Special Inspector General of Iraq Reconstruction, and to provide as an
emergency requirement additional funds for the Office.
Sponsor: Sen Feingold, Russell D. [WI] (introduced 7/18/2005)
Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 7/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1255 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
57. S.AMDT.1260 to H.R.3057 To transfer $100,000,000 from the Economic
Support Fund to provide for an additional contribution to the Global Fund to
Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Sponsor: Sen Santorum, Rick [R-PA] (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors
(5)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1260 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
59. S.AMDT.1262 to H.R.3057 To provide that funds should be made
available for law enforcement programs to combat the prevalence of violent gangs
in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.
Sponsor: Sen Salazar, Ken [D-CO] (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors
(1)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1262 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
60. S.AMDT.1263 to H.R.3057 To increase the accountability and
effectiveness of international police training.
Sponsor: Sen Salazar, Ken [D-CO] (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1263 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
61. S.AMDT.1264 to H.R.3057 To support a United States contribution to
the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [D-IL] (introduced 7/18/2005) Cosponsors
(3)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1264 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
68. S.AMDT.1271 to H.R.3057 To prevent funds from being made available
to provide assistance to a country which has refused to extradite certain
individuals to the United States.
Sponsor: Sen Chambliss, Saxby [R-GA] (introduced 7/19/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1271 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 86 - 12. Record Vote
Number: 196.
70. S.AMDT.1273 to H.R.3057 To prohibit the use of funds to approve or
administer a loan, guarantee, or insurance policy for certain ethanol
dehydration plants.
Sponsor: Sen Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] (introduced 7/19/2005)
Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1273 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
71. S.AMDT.1274 to H.R.3057 To prohibit the use of funds for any loan
to the United Nations in excess of $600,000,000 for the renovation of its
headquarters in New York, New York.
Sponsor: Sen Sessions, Jeff [R-AL] (introduced 7/19/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1274 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
73. S.AMDT.1276 to H.R.3057 To extend eligibility for refugee status
of unmarried sons and daughters of certain Vietnamese refugees.
Sponsor: Sen Brownback, Sam [KS] (introduced 7/19/2005) Cosponsors
(1)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1276 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
74. S.AMDT.1277 to H.R.3057 To provide a United States contribution to
the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Trust Fund.
Sponsor: Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] (introduced 7/19/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1277 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
75. S.AMDT.1278 to H.R.3057 To provide that certain funds should be
used for educational programs in Egypt.
Sponsor: Sen Brownback, Sam [R-KS] (introduced 7/19/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1278 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
80. S.AMDT.1283 to H.R.3057 To express the sense of the Senate
regarding the forced repatriation of refugees in Cambodia.
Sponsor: Sen Brownback, Sam [R-KS] (introduced 7/19/2005) Cosponsors
(2)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1283 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
82. S.AMDT.1285 to H.R.3057 To provide that funds be used for
democracy programs in Venezuela.
Sponsor: Sen Nelson, Bill [D-FL] (introduced 7/19/2005) Cosponsors
(1)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1285 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
84. S.AMDT.1287 to H.R.3057 To limit funds relating to attendance of
Federal employees at conferences occurring outside the United States, unless the
Secretary of State determines that such attendance is in the national interest.
Sponsor: Sen Vitter, David [R-LA] (introduced 7/19/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1287 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
87. S.AMDT.1290 to H.R.3057 To make funds available for the African
Union Mission in Sudan.
Sponsor: Sen Corzine, Jon S. [NJ] (introduced 7/19/2005) Cosponsors
(4)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1290 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
90. S.AMDT.1293 to H.R.3057 To promote reform of the multilateral
development banks.
Sponsor: Sen Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN] (introduced 7/19/2005)
Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 7/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1293 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
91. S.AMDT.1294 to H.R.3057 To provide that no funds may be made
available to provide television broadcasting to Cuba, to increase by $21,100,000
the amount appropriated to the Peace Corps, and to reduce by the same amount the
amount appropriated under title I to the Broadcasting Board of Governors for
broadcasting to Cuba.
Sponsor: Sen Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND] (introduced 7/19/2005)
Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment not agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1294 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 33 - 66. Record Vote
Number: 194.
92. S.AMDT.1295 to H.R.3057 Technical amendment relating to Indonesia.
Sponsor: Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] (introduced 7/19/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1295 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
93. S.AMDT.1296 to H.R.3057 To support commodities, equipment and
other assistance to combat malaria.
Sponsor: Sen Brownback, Sam [R-KS] (introduced 7/19/2005) Cosponsors
(3)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1296 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
94. S.AMDT.1297 to H.R.3057 To require a report on states that have
not cooperated in small arms programs.
Sponsor: Sen Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] (introduced 7/19/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1297 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
95. S.AMDT.1298 to H.R.3057 To increase by $5,000,000 the amount
available for Economic Support Fund assistance for Lebanon, and to increase by
$2,000,000 the amount of such assistance that should be made available for
scholarships and direct support of American educational institutions in Lebanon.
Sponsor: Sen Sununu, John E. R-NH] (introduced 7/19/2005) Cosponsors
(1)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1298 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
96. S.AMDT.1299 to H.R.3057 To make available, out of funds
appropriated for Economic Support Fund assistance, $28,000,000 to the
International Republican Institute and $28,000,000 to the National Democratic
Institute for fiscal year 2006 to support democracy building programs in Iraq.
Sponsor: Sen Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA] (introduced 7/19/2005)
Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1299 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
97. S.AMDT.1300 to H.R.3057 To provide funding to the Center for
Middle Eastern-Western Dialogue.
Sponsor: Sen Stevens, Ted [R-AK] (introduced 7/19/2005) Cosponsors
(1)
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1300 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
98. S.AMDT.1301 to H.R.3057 To provide support to the Comprehensive
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Preparatory Commission and to provide an offset.
Sponsor: Sen Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [D-DE] (introduced 7/19/2005)
Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 7/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1301 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
100. S.AMDT.1304 to H.R.3057 To require a report to Congress on
mergers or acquisitions between certain United States and foreign companies.
Sponsor: Sen Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY] (introduced 7/20/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1304 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
101. S.AMDT.1305 to H.R.3057 To require a the Secretary of State to
Report to Congress on a Plan for Holding Elections in Haiti in 2005 and 2006.
Sponsor: Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT] (introduced 7/20/2005)
Cosponsors (4)
Latest Major Action: 7/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1305 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
102. S.AMDT.1306 to H.R.3057 To modify the responsibilities and
authorities applicable to the United States-China Economic and Security Review
Commission.
Sponsor: Sen Byrd, Robert C. [D-WV] (introduced 7/20/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1306 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
103. S.AMDT.1307 to H.R.3057 To require that funds made available for
the United Nations Population Fund be used for certain purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] (introduced 7/20/2005)
Cosponsors (5)
Latest Major Action: 7/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1307 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
104. S.AMDT.1308 to H.R.3057 To provide that funds appropriated for
nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, de-mining and related programs and made
available for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty International Monitoring System
may be made available to the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and
International Security for use in certain nonproliferation efforts and
counter-proliferation efforts.
Sponsor: Sen Frist, William H. [R-TN] (introduced 7/20/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 7/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1308 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
The total amount recommended in the House Fiscal Year 2006 appropriations bill is $20.27 billion, $2.56 billion below the President's request for this fiscal year. While I believe that this bill reflects, for the most part, a bipartisan compromise on the distribution of resources, I feel that this allocation fails to meet our overall foreign policy and national security needs at a time when the world is facing greater instability due to disease, deprivation and conflict.
The world's attention is currently focused on meeting the Millennium Development Goals and on the upcoming G8 Summit, at which wealthy nations will announce new commitments to achieve development progress. At this time, when the United States should be playing a leading role in generating the international political will and resources to tackle the myriad of global challenges, we have been presented with a budget request and a budget resolution that allow for no substantial new commitments of resources. I am deeply disappointed that we will miss this tremendous opportunity.
I am pleased that the bill at least maintains last year's levels for Child Survival and Health programs and Development Assistance programs, and provides increased funding for HIV/AIDS assistance, Basic Education and the Millennium Challenge Account over the Fiscal Year 2005 enacted levels.
In light of the continuing emergency on the African continent and the fast spread of HIV/AIDS in many parts of Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America, I wish we could have devoted greater resources toward combating this deadly disease, particularly through the Global Fund. However, I note that this bill allocates $400 million for the Global Fund, double the amount requested by the Administration.
While the bill cuts $1.25 billion from the President's request for the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the program receives a total of $1.75 billion in FY2006, an increase of $250 million over the FY2005 enacted level. I continue to be concerned both by the slow progress of the MCC in approving and funding programs and by the fact that the President continues to request increases for this Presidential initiative while cutting funding for core development programs.
I am also concerned that the bill provides no funding for the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). The GEF is the largest single funder of projects to improve the global environment, and every dollar invested by the U.S. in the GEF leverages $14 from other sources.
I understand that the Chairman has proposed this cut due to concerns that the GEF has not implemented a performance-based allocation system. While I support the Chairman's desire to spur management reforms at the GEF, I believe withholding our funding for the GEF is the wrong way to accomplish this.
While we have conditioned all assistance to the GEF on the completion of specific reforms, we have removed conditionality currently in law on U.S. military assistance to Indonesia. For the first time since Indonesian military-backed militias laid waste to East Timor in the wake of its August, 1999 independence referendum, we will provide FMF to Indonesia free of any conditions. And, despite the Guatemalan government's noncompliance with military reforms stipulated in the Peace Accords, we have removed IMET restrictions on that country as well.
I also regret that the bill does not fully fund the President's requests for refugees and peacekeeping and reduces funding for the International Fund for Ireland from FY2005 levels. I do note, however, that additional funds for refugees and peacekeeping were included in the FY2005 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill.
I am pleased that that this bill does restore funding for reproductive health programs which were cut in the President's request. It increases bilateral family planning assistance to $432 million, the FY2005 House-passed level, and earmarks an additional $25 million in International Organizations and Programs funds for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA.) The bill further specifies that any funds for UNFPA that cannot be spent should be transferred to USAID specifically for bilateral family planning programs--a provision that was carried in the FY2005 bill as well.
This bill also provides a total of $465 million for basic education, $65 million more than the FY05 level, including $15 million for a pilot program to eliminate school fees. It also requires a GAO study on our education programs to ensure we maximize the effectiveness of our aid dollars.
Importantly, Israel's annual economic and military aid package is fully funded in this bill, including early disbursal of these funds within 30 days of the bill's passage. The bill includes language carried in previous years placing conditions on U.S. support for any future Palestinian state. This year, the bill includes an additional provision requiring a GAO audit of the FY06 West Bank and Gaza program, as well as a project-by-project plan from the State Department on how these funds are being spent. It also extends a requirement from the FY05 Supplemental for regular reports on Palestinian progress toward reforming security services, ending violence and incitement, and other key steps toward peace. These provisions will help ensure that U.S. assistance is properly monitored and is achieving the intended results.
An amendment offered by Ranking Member Obey and adopted during full Committee consideration of the bill will focus greater attention on democracy and education programs in Egypt. This provision, which earmarks $50 million for democracy, governance, rule of law and human rights programs and $50 million to improve access to primary and higher education, promote academic freedom and expand educational exchange programs, is intended to strengthen Egyptian civil society, enhance political participation, and spur democratic reforms. While the provision does not specify from where this additional funding should be drawn within overall economic assistance to Egypt, I urge that it be offset from cash transfer assistance and not from other project assistance.
I am also pleased that the bill and report carry a number of provisions aimed at increasing the U.S. commitment to fighting gender-based violence around the world, including in areas with high HIV infection rates and in areas undergoing conflict and civil strife. I thank the Chairman for including a provision in the bill requiring that police, judicial, and military training programs funded in the bill develop training curricula on how to prevent and deal with victims of gender-based violence. I also note that the bill increases funding for UNIFEM and the UNIFEM Trust Fund for a total of $5 million.
I commend the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Foreign
Operations for working with me to put together a bipartisan bill within an
unfortunately tight budget.
Nita M. Lowey.
News Room
HOUSE PASSES FY06 FOREIGN OPERATIONS APPROPRIATIONS BILL
June 29th, 2005 - -
Amendments Adopted on the House Floor:
Beauprez: Limits assistance to foreign countries that refuse to extradite to the U.S. any individual accused in the U.S. of killing a law enforcement officer.
Weiner: Prohibits assistance in the bill for Saudi Arabia.
Sanders: Prohibits Export-Import Bank from approving federal loan application for the construction of nuclear power plants in China.
Deal: Prohibits funds in the bill (except funds for International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement) from being used to provide assistance to countries with whom the U.S. has an extradition treaty and whose government has notified the State Department of its refusal to extradite any individual accused of committing a serious criminal offense.
Bonilla: Fences $7 million in funds for the Export-Import Bank until they establish an Inspector General.
FY05 Enacted: $19.54 billion
FY06 President's Request: $22.82 billion
FY06 Bill: $20.27 billion
Addressing the AIDS Pandemic
An Innovative Approach to Foreign Assistance
Supporting the Global War on Terror
The bill provides significant increases in security assistance to our allies in the global war on terrorism. It also increases resources for our anti-narcotic programs abroad.
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