Stop Tuberculosis (TB) Now Act of 2007

STOP TUBERCULOSIS (TB) NOW ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - November 05, 2007)

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Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

The bill before us, H.R. 1567, the Stop Tuberculosis Act of 2007, has been put forward by its supporters to provide a very significant increase in our foreign aid spending on anti-TB programs abroad.

If we rely on figures gathered with the assistance of the Congressional Research Service, the bill would raise our spending on such programs through the U.S. Agency for International Development by about six times in the next 2 years.

According to a brief letter received late last week from the Congressional Budget Office, the bill would increase such spending somewhat less, by somewhere between two and three times in the next 2-year period.

Although it is possible that the latter estimate by CBO may inadvertently have included in its baseline comparison current funding levels for some anti-TB programs outside of the scope of this bill, it is clear that this measure seeks a major increase in the AID programs it covers.

Along those lines, the bill strongly encourages, if not directs, the President to ensure that the funds that would be provided under this bill will be transferred to the World Health Organization's ``Stop TB Partnership'' plan.

Finally, the funding amounts in the bill have apparently been formulated using a calculation meant to reflect what the United States' fair share might be in funding that international plan.

Mr. Speaker, I recognize the determination of the supporters of this measure to do more to combat TB overseas.

On a personal note, my mother was afflicted with tuberculosis when she was in her mid to late teens and was on her back for a year, just didn't get out of bed. So we understand the importance of eradicating TB, not only worldwide but in the United States. She's done well, though. By coincidence, this is her 86th birthday, and so she recovered fully.

I also want to thank Congressman Engel for his work on this. I know that he's worked very, very hard, and also Congresswoman HEATHER WILSON of New Mexico.

With that, we don't have any more speakers, and if you all don't, I will yield back.

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