This week, the Senate completed its consideration of the Homeland Security spending bill and began its consideration of the Military Construction spending bill. The House began its consideration of the Transportation, Treasury, and Independent Agencies spending bill. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the following bills: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies; Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs; Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies; and Transportation, Treasury, and Independent Agencies.
To date, the Department of Defense spending bill is the only one of the thirteen FY2005 spending bills that has been enacted into law.
House Action
Transportation, Treasury, and Independent Agencies
This week, the House began its consideration of the FY2005 Transportation, Treasury, and Independent Agencies spending bill (H.R. 5025). The bill has been delayed because members of the House Appropriations Committee used points of order to strike funding for a number of transportation programs that expired. Both the House and Senate have approved bills to reauthorize the transportation programs, but a House and Senate conference committee has failed to work out differences in the two bills.
The House Appropriations Committee approved the measure on July 22 (see The Source, 7/23/04).
H.R. 5025 would allocate $89.9 billion in FY2005, a $1 billion increase over FY2004 and the administration’s request.
During consideration of the bill, the House rejected, 181-223, an amendment by Rep. James Moran (D-VA) that would have prohibited the use of funding in the bill to establish health savings accounts under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
H.R. 5025 would provide $150 million for job access and reverse commute grants, $25 million more than FY2004. The grants would not have been funded under the administration’s budget request. According to the House Appropriations Committee report accompanying H.R. 5025, “The purpose of the job access and reverse commute grant program is to develop services designed to transport welfare recipients and low income individuals to and from jobs and to develop transportation services for residents of urban centers and rural and suburban areas to suburban employment opportunities.”
As requested by the administration, the Minority Business Resource Center would be level-funded at $900,000 in FY2005. The center “provides assistance in obtaining short-term working capital and bonding for disadvantaged, minority, and women-owned businesses.” The center also “enables qualified businesses to obtain loans at prime interest rates for transportation-related projects.” In addition, funding for minority business outreach would be level-funded at $3 million as requested by the administration.
The bill would level-fund the occupant protection incentive grant program at $20 million in FY2005. The total would include funding for outreach initiatives to increase seatbelt use and $10 million for national paid media to support national safety belt mobilizations.
H.R. 5025 would provide $120 million for the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, $25 million below the FY2004 level.
The bill would maintain current law requiring health plans participating in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP) to cover prescription contraceptives if they cover other prescription drugs. Physicians and others who provide contraceptives are exempted from the requirement if they object based on religious beliefs. Religiously affiliated health plans also are exempt. Additionally, the measure would prohibit abortion coverage under FEHBP, except when the life of the mother is endangered or in the case of rape or incest.
The measure also would maintain current law permitting breastfeeding in a federal building or on federal property if the woman and child are authorized to be there.
The House is expected to complete its consideration of the bill next week.
Senate Action
Military Construction
This week, the Senate began its consideration of the FY2005 Military Construction spending bill (H.R. 4837). The text of S. 2674, as approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee on July 15 (see The Source, 7/16/04), was substituted for the bill.
The measure would allocate $10 billion in FY2005, $687 million more than FY2004, $450 million above the administration’s request, and equal to the amount approved by the House on July 22 (see The Source, 7/23/04).
As requested by the administration, $4.2 billion would be allocated for military family housing, of which $1.62 billion would be allocated for new family housing units and improvements to existing units, and $2.5 billion would be used for the operation and maintenance of existing units. Congress allocated $3.9 billion in FY2004 for military family housing.
During consideration of the bill, the Senate approved, by unanimous consent, an amendment offered by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) that would direct the Department of Defense to assess the impact of privatization on the military family housing program.
The Senate is expected to complete consideration of the bill on September 20.
Senate Committee Action
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
On September 14, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved, 29-0, the FY2005 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies spending bill (S. 2803). The subcommittee of jurisdiction approved the measure on September 8 (see The Source, 9/10/04).
S. 2803 would allocate $16.8 billion in FY2005, $140 million less than FY2004, $50 million above the administration’s request, and $30 million more than the amount approved by the House on July 13 (see The Source, 7/16/04).
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee report accompanying S. 2803, the committee has provided increases throughout the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) “to promote healthy eating and to combat obesity. The Committee believes it is imperative that USDA maintain and increase obesity prevention and nutrition education activities, and work with other government and private entities to provide the public with appropriate, up-to-date information on healthy eating and exercise habits. The Committee encourages the Department to utilize the International Fitness Diplomats to further educate children in regard to combating childhood obesity.”
The committee “notes the growing problems of childhood obesity and recent reports that many school children receive a substantial percentage of their calories from sweetened drinks, candy, and high fat snacks. Likewise, many non-subsidized school lunches are high in fat content and low in certain nutrients linked to school performance such as Omega 3 fatty acids. The Committee directs the Food and Nutrition Service to work aggressively to develop food products for the school lunch program that are appealing to children, high in nutrition, and will foster lifelong healthy eating patterns. The Committee also notes that learning disabilities and behavioral disorders have been linked to low serum levels of Omega 3 fatty acids. Therefore, particular attention should be paid to developing food choices that are high in Omega 3 fatty acids. FNS should develop incentives to encourage schools to serve healthy food choices and should impose disincentives to schools which continue to offer high fat and sugar content foods to children either through the schools lunch program or other sources.”
The bill would provide $5.2 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), $560 million more than FY2004 and $420 million more than the administration’s request. Of the total, $5 million would be provided to combat child obesity. In addition, no less than $15 million would be provided for breastfeeding support initiatives.
The report states that the committee “is concerned about the potential impact of television, radio and print media advertising, promotional gift packs, reduced price coupons, and other offerings of infant formula products on the rates of initiation and duration of breastfeeding among the WIC population. The Committee requests that the Government Accountability Office conduct a review regarding what is currently known and what else needs to be studied in order to fully understand the impact of these activities, and report to the Committee by January 1, 2006.”
S. 2803 would provide $101 million for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. The program “provides supplemental food to infants and children up to age 6, and to pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women who have low incomes, and reside in approved project areas.”
Child nutrition programs would receive $11.38 billion in FY2005, a $37 million decrease below the FY2004 level. Of the total amount, $6.5 billion would be provided for the School Lunch Program, $1.8 billion for the School Breakfast Program, and $2 billion for the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
The bill would provide $1 million for childhood obesity/nutrition education, $1 million for the Food Guide Pyramid, and $655,000 for Dietary Guidelines. All levels are equal to the administration’s request.
According to the report, “The Committee remains concerned about the growing incidence of obesity in this country. Recent estimates by the Centers for Disease Control [and Prevention] state that over 64 percent of adults, as well as 15 percent of children, were overweight or obese in the United States. The CDC also states that overweight or obese adults are at risk for a number of health problems including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and some forms of cancer. Further, overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance of becoming overweight adults. Therefore, the Committee believes it is critical to ensure that children are taught how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and have access to healthy foods.”
The measure would allocate $1.46 billion for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in FY2005, $70 million more than FY2004, but $39 million below the administration’s request. The committee “believes that it is imperative for FDA to pay sufficient attention to gender-based research, ensuring that products approved by the FDA are safe and effective for women as well as men. The Committee notes that in the budget request, the Office of Women’s Health at FDA is funded at not less than [$3.65 million] for program operation and oversight. The Committee encourages FDA to ensure that the Office of Women’s Health is sufficiently funded to carry out its activities, and to enhance its funding if necessary.”
The report states, “In March 2004, the FDA and the Environmental Protection Agency released a revised joint dietary advisory on mercury in seafood. During the development of the advisory, the Committee understands that significant information gaps were found in what consumers, especially sensitive populations such as women who are or may become pregnant and young children, know about mercury levels in various seafood species. The Committee encourages FDA to implement an outreach and education effort with physicians and other appropriate outlets in order to increase awareness among potentially affected consumers, and to measure the effectiveness of the efforts on target group behavior and impact on their overall consumption of seafood.”
The Food Stamp Program would be funded at $33.6 billion, a $2.7 billion increase above the FY2004 level, but $6 million below the administration’s request.
Under the bill, the Food for Peace Program would be level-funded at $1.19 billion in FY2005, $5 million above the administration’s request. In addition, the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program would receive $100 million, a $50 million increase above FY2004 and $25 million more than the administration’s request.
Transportation, Treasury, and Independent Agencies
On September 14, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved, 29-0, the FY2005 Transportation, Treasury, and Independent Agencies spending bill (S. 2806). The subcommittee of jurisdiction approved the measure on September 9 (see The Source, 9/10/04).
S. 2806 would allocate $90.6 billion in FY2005, a $1.7 billion increase above the FY2004 level, $1.7 billion above the administration’s request, and $700 million more than the amount approved by the House Appropriations Committee on July 22 (see The Source, 7/16/04).
Funding for job access and reverse commute grants would be level-funded at $125 million. The administration’s budget proposed to distribute funding for these grants by formula instead of as a competitive program.
As requested by the administration, the Minority Business Resource Center would be level-funded at $900,000 in FY2005. The center “provides assistance in obtaining short-term working capital and bonding for disadvantaged, minority, and women-owned businesses.” The center also “enables qualified businesses to obtain loans at prime interest rates for transportation-related projects.” In addition, funding for minority business outreach would be level-funded at $3 million as requested by the administration.
The bill would provide $13.4 million for the occupant protection incentive grant program, a $6.6 million decrease below the FY2004 level. The Senate Appropriations Committee report accompanying S. 2806 states that the committee “is encouraged by recent statistics showing that safety belt use stands at a national average of 79 percent, surpassing NHTSA’s [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration] goal of 78. Statistics show that for each percentage point increase in the national safety belt use rate about 2.8 million more Americans are buckling up, saving an estimated 270 additional lives and preventing 4,000 serious injuries. In 2003, of the 31,904 passenger vehicle occupants killed in U.S. traffic crashes, 56 percent were not wearing a seat belt.”
In addition, “In reviewing NHTSA’s 2003 Assessment, the Committee is especially concerned that nearly two-thirds of teen passenger vehicle occupants (ages 16-20) who were killed in 2003 were not wearing a seat belt, a statistic virtually unchanged from 2002. The Committee believes that if teenagers and young adults can be convinced to wear safety belts now they will continue to wear a seatbelt throughout their adult lives. The Committee directs that these additional funds be used to continue outreach activities towards teens, minority populations and rural populations. The Committee encourages NHTSA to: (1) initiate and continue programs with public sector organizations and private sector employers and insurance companies to raise the safety belt use among the Nation’s workforce; (2) develop new strategies to reach cultural and ethnic groups with lower seatbelt use rates; and (3) develop and evaluate the next generation of combined public education/communication and enforcement strategies to increase occupant protection and determine the most effective ways to encourage and increase booster seat use.”
S. 2806 would provide $100 million for the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, $45 million less than FY2004.
According to the report, the committee “is supportive of the National Amber Alert Network and agrees that national coordination of the many State Amber Alert systems is essential if the network is to become a vital law enforcement tool in child abduction cases.” The bill would provide $15 million to support grants for the National Amber Alert Network.
The bill would maintain current law requiring health plans participating in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP) to cover prescription contraceptives if they cover other prescription drugs. Physicians and others who provide contraceptives are exempted from the requirement if they object based on religious beliefs. Religiously affiliated health plans also are exempt. Additionally, the measure would prohibit abortion coverage under FEHBP, except when the life of the mother is endangered or in the case of rape or incest.
The measure also would maintain current law permitting breastfeeding in a federal building or on federal property if the woman and child are authorized to be there.
Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies
Bypassing subcommittee action, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved, 29-0, the FY2005 Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies spending bill (S. 2809) on September 15.
The measure would allocate $40.5 billion in FY2005, $2.7 billion more than FY2004, $239 million above the administration’s request, and $700 million more than the amount the House approved on July 8 (see The Source, 7/9/04).
Department of Justice
Under the bill, the Department of Justice would receive $20.4 billion in FY2005, $700 million above the FY2004 level and the administration’s request.
Office on Violence Against Women: Programs under the Violence Against Women Act would receive $410 million in FY2005, $22 million above FY2004 and $25 million more than the administration’s request.
VAWA programs would receive the following:
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According to the Senate Appropriations Committee report accompanying S. 2809, the FY2005 funding “will be used to develop and implement effective arrest and prosecution policies to prevent, identify, and respond to violent crimes against women, strengthen programs addressing stalking, and provide much needed victim’s services. This includes specialized domestic violence court advocates who obtain protection orders. In addition, programs should be strengthened to encourage reporting of domestic violence by providing assurances that law enforcement and attorney support systems would be available. This funding is to be distributed to States to significantly enhance the availability of services, prosecutors, and law-enforcement officials to women and children who are subjected to domestic violence.”
Executive Office for U.S. Attorney (EOUSA): The report indicates that the committee “is concerned that USA offices are failing to prosecute, or are slow to prosecute, cases of passport or visa fraud referred by the Department of State. It is critical that USA offices make visa and passport fraud cases a high priority because these particular types of fraud are usually part of a larger crime, such as terrorism; trafficking in women, children, and narcotics; and child molestation and abductions. EOUSA is therefore directed to report to the Committee, no later than May 1, 2005, on the number of visa and passport fraud cases that are referred to and prosecuted by USA offices.”
Bureau of Prisons (BOP): The report states that the committee “understands that the BOP is working on a long-term plan for housing female inmates, which has been requested previously. The BOP shall report the details of this plan to the Committees on Appropriations within 30 days of enactment of this Act.”
In addition, the committee “commends the BOP on its work to address and prevent sexual misconduct. With funds provided in earlier appropriations Acts, the National Institute of Corrections has made useful progress in providing training and technical support to correctional systems throughout the country to eliminate staff sexual misconduct with inmates, training in investigating cases, and training ‘trainers’ in order that employees at every level will be more aware of, and better prepared to deal with, these cases. The Committee directs the BOP to continue these efforts and to report to the Committee by March 31, 2005 on progress made in this area.”
Office of Justice Programs
Justice Assistance: In FY2005, the National Institute of Justice would receive $63.35 million, $15.85 million more than FY2004 and $50,000 below the administration’s request.
The Missing Children program would receive $42.4 million in FY2005, a $6.4 million increase over FY2004 and $7.1 million above the administration’s request. According to the report, “The issue of child exploitation has been raised to the forefront of the national conscience due to the strings of child pornography and missing children cases that have been highlighted in the media over the last few months.” The committee urges that funding be provided “to continue and expand efforts to protect the Nation’s children, especially in the areas of locating missing children, and to address the growing wave of child sexual exploitation found on the Internet.”
Within the total provided for the Missing Children program, the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces would receive $12.5 million. The report states, “Policing of cyberspace presents new and unique challenges for American law enforcement. Cyberspace is an arena where traditional boundaries are ignored and the usual constraints of time, place, and distance lose their controlling influence. The Committee strongly supports the efforts of the ICAC Task Forces in encouraging communities to adopt multidisciplinary, multi-jurisdictional responses to Internet crimes against children.” The total also would include $26.9 million for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance
The Local Law Enforcement Block Grant would receive $150 million in FY2005, $75 million less than FY2004. Under the administration’s budget request, the Byrne Grant Program and the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant would be consolidated into the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grants program. S. 2809 would not consolidate these programs.
The bill would provide $85 million for the Boys and Girls Clubs, a $5 million increase above the FY2004 level and $25 million more than the administration’s request.
The measure does not include the $7.65 million requested by the administration for programs under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (P.L. 108-79). Congress allocated $37.2 million for prison rape prevention in FY2004. As requested by the administration, the bill would not provide funding for programs to provide assistance to victims of trafficking. Congress allocated $10 million for these programs in FY2004.
Public Safety and Community Policing Programs: S. 2809 would provide $120 million for state and local crime laboratories to reduce and eventually eliminate backlogs of DNA casework samples. The amount is $20 million more than FY2004, but $116 million below the administration’s request.
Community Crime Prevention: Under the bill, $5 million would be provided “for programs aimed at preventing violence in public schools, and to support the assignment of officers to work in collaboration with schools and community-based organizations to address the threat of terrorism, crime, disorder, gangs, and drug activities. Congress allocated $4.6 million for the “Safe Schools Initiative” in FY2004.
Juvenile Justice Programs: The measure would provide $360 million for Juvenile Justice programs in FY2005, a $7.3 million increase above FY2004 and $115.5 million more than the administration’s request. The total would include $15 million for the Victims of Child Abuse Act, $2 million more than FY2004.
The State Department
Under the bill, the State Department would be funded at $8.5 billion in FY2005, $370 million more than FY2004, but $480 million below the administration’s request.
According to the report, “The Committee in 2004 directed the Department to require children over the age of 1 year old to be present for the adjudication of a United States passport. The Committee believed that this small change in policy would help prevent many cases of international child abductions. The Committee understands that this change in policy went into effect in February 2004, and is already proving successful. An individual was recently arrested in the Chicago area for attempting to obtain passports for his legitimate U.S.-citizen children using the photos of non-citizen children whom he intended to smuggle into the United States from Latin America. The new policy prevented this individual from succeeding in his scheme. The Committee notes with disappointment that the Department of State, in a letter dated October 16, 2003, objected to the Committee’s directive to the Department requiring it to close this loophole.”
The committee directs the State Department “to continue to identify ways it can prevent international child abductions from taking place and in particular commends the work of U.S. Embassy Belize for its excellent work in this important area. U.S. Embassy Belize has solved 3 abduction cases in the past 18 months.”
S. 2809 would provide $155 million for the Fulbright Program, a $5 million increase above the administration’s request. The report states that the committee “commends the Department for its re-establishment last year of the Fulbright Program with Afghanistan, after a 24-year suspension. The Afghan Fulbright Program successfully recruited 18 grantees to participate in the 1-year non-degree program, of which 6 were women. The Committee understands that the number of women applying for the program was not especially high, and notes that one obstacle to women’s participation in the program relates to family concerns about travel without escorts. The Department should continue its efforts to recruit as many women as possible, particularly women who were deprived of opportunities under the Taliban era. The Department should work with applicants, their families, and Afghani university officials to develop ways to address family concerns about travel without escorts.”
The bill also would provide $500,000 for the Council of Women World Leaders.
Independent Agencies
The Legal Services Corporation would receive $335 million in FY2005, a $4 million decrease below the FY2004 level and $5.7 million above the administration’s request. The measure would appropriate $327.5 million for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, $500,000 less than FY2004 and $23.3 million below the administration’s request. In addition, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights would be level-funded at $9.1 million, as requested by the administration.
According to the report, “The Federal Trade Commission in September 2000, released a report entitled: ‘Marketing Violent Entertainment to Children: A Review of Self-Regulation and Industry Practice in the Motion Picture, Music Recording & Electronic Game Industries.’ The report was very critical of the entertainment industry and its persistent and calculated marketing of violent games, movies, and music to children. In response to this report, the entertainment industry has promised to impose tougher regulations on itself and to voluntarily comply with the report’s recommendations. The FTC should continue with and expand upon its efforts in this area. The Committee directs the Commission to continue to engage in consumer research and workshops, underage shopper-retail compliance surveys, and marketing data collection.”
The bill would provide $761.9 million for the Small Business Administration (SBA) in FY2005, $43.9 million above the FY2004 level and $83.5 million more than the administration’s request. The National Women’s Business Council would be level-funded at $750,000. Women’s Business Centers would receive $12 million in FY2005, $500,000 less than last year. The SBA’s 7(a) loan program would be funded at $70 million. The program would not have been funded under the administration’s budget.
Report language indicates that the recommendation includes “language providing that Women’s Business Centers in sustainability status shall receive 48 percent of the total funding provided for Women’s Business Centers.”
Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs
Bypassing subcommittee action, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved, 29-0, the FY2005 Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs spending bill (S. 2812) on September 15.
The measure would allocate $19.58 billion in FY2005, a $2.38 billion increase over FY2004, $1.78 billion below the administration’s request, and $180 million more than the amount approved by the House on July 15 (see The Source, 7/16/04).
Under the bill, $1.55 billion would be earmarked for the Child Survival and Health Programs Fund, $250 million less than FY2004 and $130 million above the administration’s request. The Senate Appropriations Committee report accompanying S. 2812 states that the committee “is aware that pregnancy-related deaths exceed 600,000 annually, most of which are preventable. The Committee believes that more should be done to address this urgent need, and recommends at least [$85 million] for maternal health activities and that additional funding be made available specifically to reduce pregnancy-related deaths.”
According to the report, “Each year, more than 2.8 million children under 5 years of age die in the developing world from causes related to Vitamin A deficiency. The Committee recommends that at least [$30 million] be provided to the overall USAID [U.S. Agency for International Development] micronutrient program, of which at least [$20 million] should be for programs relating to Vitamin A deficiency.”
Noting that “iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is the leading preventable cause of mental retardation in children,” the committee recommends $3 million for the Kiwanis/UNICEF IDD program.
The measure would provide $2.42 billion for HIV/AIDS prevention activities, $770 million above the FY2004 level and $220 million more than the administration’s request. The total includes $400 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria; $600 million in bilateral HIV/AIDS funding within the Child Survival and Health Programs Fund to finance ongoing programs; $1.45 billion for the Global HIV/AIDS Initiative; $30 million for HIV/AIDS activities at the World Health Organization; and $28 million for a U.S. contribution to UNAIDS.
The committee provides that not less than $32 million “should be made available to USAID to support research on and development of microbicides as a means of combating HIV/AIDS, of which up to [$2 million] should be made available to the International Partnership for Microbicides.”
The committee “supports the HIV/AIDS programs and leadership training activities of the International AIDS Trust that specifically target women.”
The committee “directs the Global HIV/AIDS Coordinator and USAID Administrator to communicate to all Federal departments and agencies, including United States embassies and USAID missions, that restrictions on the use of U.S. family planning assistance do not apply to organizations administering HIV/AIDS funds, as stipulated in the President’s memorandum to the Secretary of State of August 29, 2003, and that well-qualified and experienced reproductive health organizations engaged in HIV/AIDS-related service delivery are to be considered for HIV/AIDS funding, even if the organization is otherwise ineligible for or is not receiving U.S. family planning assistance.”
Report language indicates that the committee “notes the high percentage of sexually transmitted HIV/AIDS cases and transmission of the virus perinatally or during breast feeding. The Committee recommends that the Global HIV/AIDS Coordinator promote greater linkages and coordination between family planning and maternal health programs and global HIV/AIDS activities.
“The Committee recommends that additional funds be made available from existing funds within this Act for USAID for the procurement and distribution of condoms worldwide. To the maximum extent feasible, taking into consideration cost, timely availability, and best health practices, funds appropriated by this Act that are made available for condom procurement should be made available for the procurement of condoms manufactured in the United States.”
The report states that the committee “continues to support funding to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS as an integral element of prevention. The Committee urges the Global HIV/AIDS Coordinator to support and expand both MTCT [mother-to-child transmission] and care and treatment programs.
“The Committee notes that preventing the transmission of HIV/AIDS from mother to child depends upon a multifaceted approach, including, but not limited to: voluntary and confidential counseling and testing services for pregnant women; antiretroviral prophylaxis for HIV-infected pregnant women and newborns; counseling and support for maternal nutrition and safe infant feeding practices; and preventing primary HIV infection in pregnant and lactating women and offering counseling or referral for family planning to HIV-infected women.”
The bill would provide $1.46 billion for development assistance programs administered by the USAID, $600 million more than FY2004 and $130 million above the administration’s request. Of the total, $15 million would be allocated for the Women in Development (WID) Office.
The report states that the committee “commends USAID’s WID Office for its support for Mobility International USA (MIUSA), which provides information and training to assist foreign NGOs in including people with disabilities, especially women and girls, in the development process. The Committee recommends increased funding for WID so it can continue its work to ensure that international development programs and policies are inclusive of women and children with disabilities.” The bill would provide $500,000 for MIUSA in FY2005.
The committee “supports the mission of Women’s Campaign International (WCI), which works to enhance the status of women through media, leadership, business, organizational, and public-service training in developing countries.” The measure would provide $2.5 million for WCI in FY2005.
The committee “supports funding for Girls International Forum, an organization that encourages the involvement of girls and women. The Committee also notes the work of the Women’s Environment and Development Organization.”
According to the report, “Educating children in developing countries is fundamental to long term development. The Committee believes that USAID should increase its support for these activities, and provides [$335 million] for children’s basic education in fiscal year 2005. The Committee expects USAID to emphasize programs that expand access and quality of education for girls, enhance community and parental participation in schools, improve teacher training, and build local management capacity.
“The Committee is aware of efforts to address the problem of public school fees in poor countries, especially in Africa. These fees are a significant impediment to the attendance of poor children in school, especially girls, who are particularly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. The Committee believes that USAID should work with UNICEF and others to develop a multilateral, multi-year strategy and funding mechanism to support the elimination of school fees in these countries and to strengthen the capacity of schools to respond to the increased enrollment. The Committee directs USAID to report not later than 180 days after enactment of this Act on the development of such a strategy, including the estimated costs associated with the elimination of school fees. The Committee recommends at least [$15 million] to eliminate school fees in Africa in fiscal year 2005.”
The committee recommends that the USAID provide at least $195 million for “microenterprise development programs for the poor, especially women.”
The committee “commends the efforts of USAID’s biodiversity team to collaborate with the Office of Population and Reproductive Health in support of integrated population-health-environment programs and to commit financial resources to address population-related threats to biodiversity.”
According to the report, the committee “recognizes that faith-based organizations offer USAID and the Global HIV/AIDS Coordinator significant experience and access to local networks in Africa and the Caribbean. The Committee is troubled by reports that USAID’s consideration of first-time proposals from these organizations is cumbersome, time consuming, and not user-friendly.
“The Committee directs the Global HIV/AIDS Coordinator, in conjunction with USAID, to report no later than 90 days after enactment of this Act on a comprehensive strategy to expand the involvement of faith-based organizations in global HIV/AIDS programs including recommendations for improving USAID’s consideration processes for first-time grantees.”
S. 2812 would provide $5 million for pilot programs to address the high incidence of sexual and gender-based violence in conflict regions in Africa. The committee “recommends these programs include: training for local law enforcement officials to improve their capacity to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence; support for local crisis centers; technical assistance to the judicial sector; and legal assistance, medical care and other forms of support to the victims of these crimes.
“The Committee remains concerned with the practice of female genital cutting and child marriage and directs USAID, in consultation with the State Department, to submit a report not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act describing current efforts and strategies by the United States Government to more effectively address these issues.”
Under the bill, $450 million would be provided for international family planning programs in FY2005, a $21 million increase over FY2004 and $25 million above the administration’s request. According to the report, the committee “is aware that unchecked population growth is a major cause of environmental degradation, and expects USAID to develop performance goals and indicators which promote cross-sectoral collaboration on community-based, population-health-environment programs, and to consult with the Committee regarding these goals and indicators.”
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) would receive $34 million in FY2005. Last year, Congress provided $34 million for the UNFPA; however, the administration has not yet released those funds.
The committee “is aware that in many developing countries there is still a large unmet need for family planning services, including contraceptives. This is due, in part to ignorance, misinformation about side effects, and fear, which can be effectively countered with public service announcements and other media programs, such as those of the Population Media Center. The Committee urges USAID to expand its use of the media to address the unmet need for family planning services. To be effective, these programs must be culturally sensitive and appropriately targeted. USAID should use surveys and other objective criteria for measuring results to maximize cost effectiveness.”
S. 2812 would provide $929.25 million for Afghanistan, of which not less than $505.45 million should be made available for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance. The total includes $50 million to support programs for Afghan women and girls, an increase of $45 million above the FY2004 level. The report states “that a central goal of United States assistance for Afghanistan should be to strengthen and support Afghan women’s organizations (many of them small and located outside of major urban areas) that have established themselves as effective advocates for women’s rights and as trusted providers of assistance. Not less than [$15 million] of these funds are to be made available through small grants to Afghan women’s NGOs [nongovernmental organizations].
“In addition to these programs, USAID should make a concerted effort to ensure that gender issues are fully addressed in all sector programs, especially health, education, political participation, and women’s economic empowerment. The Committee requests USAID to consult with the Committee on an effective mechanism for the expeditious disbursement of funds to a wide range of Afghan NGOs. As in past years, the Committee requests that USAID systematically track all direct grants and sub-grants to local NGOs and make this information available to the Committees and other interested parties.”
The report states that the committee “remains concerned with the plight of Burmese refugees and displaced persons residing in Thailand and the Government of Thailand’s crack down on persons fleeing political and ethnic persecution in Burma. The Committee notes that this crack down, combined with the collusion between corrupt Thai officials and human traffickers, may heighten the exposure of Burmese and ethnic minority women and girls to sexual violence and HIV/AIDS infection. The Committee calls upon the Government of Thailand to address this issue in a manner consistent with Thai laws and regulations and international obligations, including those ensuring the protection of human rights.”
The committee “remains concerned with ongoing insecurity, political instability, and human rights abuses in DROC [Democratic Republic of the Congo], including gender-based violence against women. The Committee deplores and condemns the rape, assault, and torture of women in DROC.
“The Committee supports an assistance strategy for DROC that includes: increased security and governance through the establishment of professional military and police forces; greater accountability through the development of an independent judiciary; initiation of reconciliation programs, especially in eastern DROC; and medical and psychological care to the victims of atrocities in DROC, particularly rape.”
The measure would provide $615 million for assistance for the Darfur region of Sudan. The committee “recognizes that funding levels for Sudan are subject to change due to the unstable situation in Darfur. The Committee requests the State Department to consult within 30 days after enactment of this Act on the total amount of funding for Darfur, Sudan and the region. The Committee directs that if a budget request for the funds provided in this provision is not submitted to Congress, the State Department should submit a report to the Committee not later than 45 days after enactment of this Act describing the reasons why this authority was not utilized.”
Under the bill, $25 million would be provided for programs and activities that foster democracy, human rights, civic education, women’s development, press freedom, and the rule of law in countries with a significant Muslim population. The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) would receive $4.5 million in FY2005 “for scholarship programs for students from countries with significant Muslim populations at accredited American higher education institutions. The Committee expects MEPI funds to support projects that empower women and children.”
The committee “notes the work of Vital Voices Global Partnership to equip women leaders in the Middle East with the skills and resources to participate effectively in the economic, social and political development of their respective countries. The Committee recommends funding for this initiative.”
The bill would provide $45 million for programs and activities to counter trafficking in persons. The committee “again underscores the importance of programs to prevent the trafficking of girls and women, and protecting and providing services for victims.”
The measure would provide $1.12 billion for the new Millennium Challenge Corporation, $1.38 billion less than the administration’s request. Last year, Congress allocated $650 million for the Millennium Challenge Assistance (MCA) program. The MCA would grant foreign assistance based on a country’s commitment to democratic rule and capitalism.
The Peace Corps would receive $310 million in FY2005, $15 million less than FY2004 and $91 million below the administration’s request.
S. 2812 would provide $20 million for the new Conflict Response Fund, $80 million less than the administration’s request. According to the report, “The purpose of this new account is to enable the State Department, as the lead United States Government foreign affairs agency, to respond more effectively to potential, ongoing, and post-conflict situations in foreign countries.” Activities envisioned under this new account include: planning for humanitarian consequences of conflict; preventing acts of ethnic cleansing, mass killings, genocide, and other acts of civil conflict that pose threats to regional or international peace; and providing for the protection of people, in particular, women and girls, affected by conflict.
The bill would provide $125 million in FY2005 for the United Nations Children’s Fund, $5 million more than FY2004 and the administration’s request.
Under the bill, the United Nations Development Fund for Women would receive $1.5 million, $500,000 above the FY2004 level.
