June 9th, 2006 - -
FY06 Enacted: $20.7 billion
FY07 President's Request: $23.7 billion
FY07 Bill: $21.3 billion
Major Amendments Adopted by the House
(Weiner): Prohibits assistance in the bill for Saudi Arabia
Addressing the AIDS Pandemic
- Provides a total of $3.4 billion global assistance to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, $752 million above last year’s level and the same as the President’s request. The bill provides at least $445 million for the U.S. contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria from these accounts more than double the amount requested.
An Accountable Approach to Foreign Assistance
- The bill provides record level funding for the President’s signature foreign assistance initiative, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Total funding is $2 billion, $248 million above last year and represents a responsible budget increase in a very tight budget.
Expanding Opportunities for Global Trade and Commerce
- The bill provides $522 million for a new initiative, the Trade Capacity Enhancement Fund, which is designed to provide a strong incentive for countries to embrace free trade policies. This fund consolidates several existing programs in order to reduce duplication and encourage better coordination and focus on advancing the Administration’s trade priorities. Total U.S. trade capacity program funding is approximately $1.3 billion.
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.
- Provides an $83 million increase for Foreign Military Financing for Israel to assist in their security and counter-terror efforts. Total funding is $2.3 billion, the same as the President’s request. Also fully funds the President's $120 million request for economic assistance to Israel.
- The bill includes $522 million to promote further stabilization of Iraq, $227 million below the request and $461 million over last year. In addition, $1.6 billion is addressed is in the pending supplemental bill.
- The bill increases funds to assist the continued stabilization of Afghanistan. Total funding is $962 million, $85 million above last year’s level. The funds support counter-narcotic efforts, democracy building and economic self-sufficiency programs.
- $200 million for military assistance for Pakistan as they assist us in hunting terrorists along the Afghan border;
- Funds the President's $1.7 billion request for assistance to Egypt. $50 million of this assistance is set aside for political reform programs and $50 million is provided for education initiatives. Continues previous reforms that limit expenditures of funds until Egypt implements financial sector reforms.
Other Items of Interest
- The bill does not provide $150 million requested by the Administration in economic assistance for West Bank and Gaza region. The bill does provide $80 million in humanitarian assistance but funds may not be used to support Hamas.
- The bill fully supports the President’s request for assistance to Sudan. The bill provides $450 million which includes $138 million for the Darfur region. Assistance may only be given to the coalition government if it is used in support of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement or the Darfur Peace Agreement.
- Peace Corps is funded at $325 million, $5 million above FY06 and $12 million below the President's request.
- Total funding of the United States Agency for International Development is $4.1 billion, $71 million above the President’s request and $303 million below last year’s level.
- Provides $432 million for bilateral international family planning programs, and $34 million for the UNFPA. Retains current law on restrictions and prohibitions on assistance.
- Program Terminations: Conflict Response Fund: $75 million; Asia Pacific Partnership: $46 million; Africa Housing Facility: $5 million.
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