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News Room
 
OPENING STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN JIM KOLBE
 
May 19th, 2006 - -

OPENING STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN JIM KOLBE

Subcommittee on Foreign Operations and Export Financing Markup
 
Over the past six years it has been my pleasure, privilege and honor to serve with you, and for you, as your Chairman of this Subcommittee.  The work that we have accomplished together has been crucial and truly important to the perception of the U.S. abroad, but more importantly to the millions of lives that have been improved, however much, through the support of international organizations, NGOs and the U.S. aid apparatus funded by this bill.  We have indeed enjoyed great successes.
 
I would like to thank you each for your support, both professionally and personally, as we have worked together towards these achievements.  I especially want to thank Mrs. Lowey for her unwavering support, her gracious spirit, and her deep dedication to improving the lives of people throughout the world.  She has been both a partner and a friend over the past six years.
 
Although I am sad to be leaving this tremendous institution and to be turning over the reigns of this remarkable subcommittee, I am confident that the work begun through our efforts in rooms such as this, will continue to help the millions affected by funding the prevention of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, by building strong democracies where none have previously existed and by fostering peace, prosperity, and stability throughout the world.
 
I would like to thank you for your individual dedication as we succeeded in changing the face of U.S. foreign assistance through the creation of extraordinary new endeavors as the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Global HIV/AIDS Initiative, and today, the Trade Capacity Enhancement Fund which will boost our ability to provide assistance in building trade capacity throughout the developing world and aiding developing nations in taking the necessary steps down the road to economic stability and prosperity.  These programs set the standard for demanding results for funding and for accountability to the U.S. taxpayers.  They have formed a critical part of our national security strategy, and they have changed the lives of millions.
 
It is with fond memories and a grateful heart that I chair this, my last, subcommittee mark up.  The proposal before you today continues my tradition of a bi-partisan approach to foreign assistance because a united US effort abroad is good for America and the world.
 
With that I will ask my ranking member, Mrs. Lowey for her comments.
 
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Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs for Fiscal Year 2007
Bill highlights
 
  • This proposal would fund a total of $21.3 billion, an increase of $597 million from the amount provided in fiscal year 2006 (not including most funds included in emergency supplemental funding) and $2.388 billion below the fiscal year 2007 budget request.
  • The proposal strikes a difficult balance among the competing priorities, while remaining fiscally responsible.
 
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief: 
  • This proposal includes $3.431 billion, the fourth year of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.  This is the same as the request and $751.6 million over the fiscal year 2006 level. 
  • Of the $3.431 billion, an estimated $3.15 billion is for HIV/AIDS programs and $201 million is for tuberculosis programs. 
  • This proposal includes not less than $444.5 million, over twice the amount requested, for a U.S. contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
 
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC): 
·        This proposal funds the MCC at $2.0 billion, an increase of $248 million over the 2006 level and $1.0 billion less than the request.
·        The MCC holds great potential for helping countries progress.
 
Trade Capacity Enhancement Fund
  • The recommendation includes a new account, the “Trade Capacity Enhancement Fund” (TCEF).
  • This new $522 million account will provide a strong incentive to countries to liberalize their trade regimes and enter into new free trade agreements.
  • This account does not appropriate new money, but consolidates and focuses funding from a variety of trade capacity building activities.
  • This new $522 million account represents only a portion of the over $1.3 billion government-wide trade capacity effort.
 
Afghanistan:
  • This proposal provides $962.3 million for Afghanistan, an $85 million increase over fiscal year 2006.
  • The proposal continues a provision that holds back $225 million until the Secretary of State certifies that the Afghanistan government, both at the national and local levels, is cooperating with U.S. supported eradication and interdiction efforts.
 Iraq: 
·        This proposal includes a $521.9 million for Iraq, an increase of $461 million over fiscal year 2006.
 
Andean Counterdrug Initiative (ACI):
  • The proposal recommends fully funding the President's request for ACI activities.
  • A portion of the funding for Colombia is moved to regular assistance accounts (e.g. ESF and INCLE).
  • The proposal begins the process of treating Colombia as a strategic partner.
  • This proposal does not cut assistance for Colombia.  A portion of the funding is simply moved to our regular assistance accounts, like Foreign Military Financing, Economic Support Fund, and Development Assistance.
 
West Bank and Gaza Program: 
  • This proposal includes no funding for the West Bank and Gaza program within ESF. 
  • Funding is included for humanitarian assistance and democracy programs.  These may not be provided to support Hamas.
  • These funds are subject to the same restrictions, including a GAO audit of U.S. assistance. 
  • As in previous years, funds that would be allocated to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency may not be provided unless UNRWA ensures that none of its assistance is provided to terrorists or militants.
 
Egypt:
  • This recommendation would fully fund the request of $1.7 billion for Egypt, while maintaining previous year’s language conditioning some of the funding.
  • $50 million of this funding is for democracy programs.
  • $50 million of this funding is for education.
  • The proposal continues to withhold expenditures until Egypt implements financial sector reforms.
 
Israel:
  • This recommendation fully funds the request of $2.46 billion for our long-standing ally, Israel.
Sudan: 
  • This proposal includes $450 million, as requested, for assistance to Sudan, including $137.5 million for Darfur.
  • Assistance may only be given to the coalition government if that assistance is in direct support of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement or the Darfur Peace Agreement.  Development assistance to the government in the South and our humanitarian assistance will continue.
 
Armenia and Azerbaijan:
  • Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s funding would be reduced by 16 percent from fiscal year 2006, as the overall account is cut 29 percent.
Liberia:
  • This recommendation fully funds the request of $90 million for Liberia.
  • This funding is in addition to more than $63.8 million in the fiscal year 2006 emergency supplemental that was considered in mid-March.
Haiti:
  • This recommendation fully funds the request of $164 million for Haiti.
Global Environment Facility (GEF): 
  • The proposal includes $56.25 million for the GEF, the same as the request.
 
Debt Relief: 
  • This proposal includes $20 million for Debt Relief, only for programs authorized by the Tropical Forest Conservation Act. 
 
Malaria Initiative
  • The proposal includes $177.6 million for Malaria activities within Child Survival and Health, an increase of $78.6 million over fiscal year 2006 and $45.4 million below the request.
 
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« previous Press Release next Press Release »
 
May 2006 Press Releases  « April   June »     « 2005   2007 » 
  26th - HIGHLIGHTS: FY07 TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT BILL
  25th - Floor Remarks of Chairman Harold Rogers FY 2007 Homeland Security Bill
  25th - Full Committee Approves FY07 Foreign Operations Appropriations
  25th - Opening Statement of Chairman Jim Kolbe
  25th - Full Committee Approves FY07 Legislative Branch Bill
  25th - House Passes FY 2007 Energy and Water Development Appropriations
  24th - Chairman Lewis Statement on the War Supplemental
  24th - House Passes FY07 Agriculture Appropriations Bill
  23rd - House Appoints Conferees for the Supplemental
  19th - House Passes FY07 Military Quality of Life Appropriations
  19th - Kolbe Announces New Trade Capacity Enhancement Fund
  19th - current Press Release
  19th - Highlights of the FY07 Foreign Operations Appropriations
  18th - House Passes FY07 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill
  17th - Full Committee Approves FY 2007 Energy and Water Development Appropriations
  17th - Remarks of Chairman Harold Rogers FY 2007 Homeland Security Full Committee Mark Up
  17th - Highlights: FY07 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill
  12th - Congressman Jerry Lewis Statement in Response to Los Angeles Times Allegations
  11th - Hightlights of the FY07 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill
  11th - Hightlights of the FY 2007 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill
  11th - Highlights: FY07 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill
  11th - Remarks of Chairman Harold Rogers FY 2007 Homeland Security Subcommittee Mark Up
  10th - Full Committee Approves FY07 Military Quality of Life Appropriations
  9th - Full Committee Approves FY07 Agriculture Appropriations Bill
  4th - Chairman Lewis Announces Subcommittee Allocations
  4th - Highlights of the FY07 Military Quality of Life Appropriations
  4th - Hightlights of the FY07 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill
  3rd - Highlights of the FY07 Agriculture Appropriations Bill





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