Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2006

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006

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Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, let me begin my remarks on the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations bill with a quick word of thanks to Chairman Cochran for the allocation and for additional outlays the subcommittee received. With his support, we are able to recommend a bill that provides $31.7 billion to meet America's foreign assistance needs.

The bill provides increased assistance above the budget request for accounts that enjoy broad, bipartisan support, including $1.7 billion for the child survival and health programs fund, $1.7 billion for development assistance, $395 million for assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States, and $565 million for assistance for the independent states of the former Soviet Union.

Understanding the continued importance of combating terrorism, we recommended full funding for assistance for Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Israel, Egypt, and Jordan. Significant assistance is provided for State Department operations, including full funding for the Broadcasting Board of Governors. We recommend a total of $2.9 billion for HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria programs, an increase of $203 million above the President's request; $400 million is for a contribution to the Global Fund, twice the amount of the President's request. We recommend $1.8 billion for the Millennium Challenge Corporation, an increase of over $300 million above last year's level but, regretfully, $1.2 billion below the request.

To demonstrate our strong support of the President's commitment to the promotion of freedom abroad, the bill consolidates democracy programs under a new account entitled, ``Democracy Fund.'' This includes $80 million for the National Endowment for Democracy programs.

I encourage Members to come to the floor to offer relevant amendments. Last year, we were fortunate in being able to finish this bill in 5 or 6 hours. So Senator Leahy and I are optimistic that, with the cooperation of our Members, we can complete this bill sometime either Monday night or Tuesday morning and allow the Senate to move on to other matters that are pressing and need to be dealt with here as we move toward the August recess.

With that, I yield the floor. I know my friend and colleague, Senator Leahy, will be heard from now.

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