Home Page
Contact
Services
Dictrict
biography
Issues
News
Speeches
Legislative
Newsletter

 

Link to the Ways and Means Committee
Link to Rep McDermott's Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support

Home > 2008 Speeches

Congress Passes the Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA)
House of Representatives

July 24, 200
8
Click here to View a Printable Version of this Page

Rep. McDermott speaking on the House floor Watch this floor speech

Mr. Speaker:

This is an especially proud day for me to serve in the U.S.House of Representatives and to cast my vote in strong support of H.R. 5501, the Tom Lantos & Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008. 

Today, the People’s House will say eloquently and unequivocally that America intends to exert its moral leadership in the world; that all Americans stand united in fighting this global pandemic. 

As we have done in other times of great trial, we set aside our differences today and declare that America stands with commitment, compassion and conviction against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The Senate already has passed this legislation and the President has announced that he will sign the legislation, which is one of his top priorities. And I credit him for that.

This legislation will provide the resources and policies necessary to take the fight against HIV/AIDS to the next level.  An increase in funding to $48 billion over five years will provide the resources to sustain the fight on so many fronts in so many countries especially hard hit by the pandemic. 

I am proud to note that the legislation includes key provisions that I authored along with Rep. Granger to strengthen the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV.  Every day more than 1,000 children around the world are born infected with HIV. 

Our provisions included in this legislation will provide training and education, integrate services into maternal health care and ensure that women and children have access to early screening and life saving drug therapies. 

We know that providing a short regimen of anti retroviral drugs to the mother and newborn reduces transmission by 50 percent. And now we will have the means to do it.

H.R. 5501 also includes my provisions to establish two five year targets to protect the next generation.  The first goal is that 16 percent of those receiving treatment under PEPFAR be children, which is significantly higher than the children receiving treatment under current PEPFAR programs.  

The second goal is that 80 percent of pregnant women in the most affected countries receive HIV counseling and testing and where necessary, antiretroviral treatment to prevent mother to child transmission.  We know how to stop transmission and, over time, we can achieve the goal of a generation born free of HIV/AIDS.

This legislation finally ends the unspoken fear and discrimination in our own country by eliminating the travel restriction that has stopped scientists and others infected with HIV/AIDS from crossing our borders to attend a medical or educational conference, or to visit family or friends. 

This legislation addresses the fatal connection between HIV and TB, which itself has claimed 1.7 million lives directly or through HIV-associated TB.  I am proud that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle is a leader in the fight against TB as it is in reversing other global medical crises.  My community rightly swells with pride over the local leadership and resources being devoted to fighting on behalf of all humanity.

We have come a long way in a short period of time.  H.R. 5501 will build on the systems and success we have had so far by integrating additional services and providing the vital funding needed to train health care professionals and community workers. 

Trained medical personnel, on the ground in country, are the front line in this fight and this legislation gives us the ability to send in reinforcements to help fight a war against this disease.

There is so much to say about what this day means.  Above all, it means we are going to save lives.  We are going to provide global leadership and real hope.  The day will come when medical science will discover a vaccine that will end this scourge once and for all.  Until then, let us stand together as one nation and one world, united in one common goal – in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

I cast my vote for passage on behalf of every person in Seattle, in Africa, China, India and elsewhere who lives with or is threatened by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Thank you. 

Click here to learn more about H.R. 5501  


Site Search

 

A New Direction For america

Top Issues

• Health Care
•
Medicare Drug
  Coverage

•
Kidney Caucus
•
Energy
•
Social Security
•
Endangered Salmon
•
Veterans Resources

•
Passport Assistance

House Floor

This Week's Votes

Recent Speeches

McDermott Signs onto Resolution Considering Impeachment of the President

Speech on Gas Stamps Legislation

House Acts on Key McDermott Africa Initiative

Congress Passes the Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS Act

Speech on Single Payer Health Care

Links

• Analysis of
  the President's
  2009 Budget

•
Do Not
  Call Registry

•
Identity Theft
•
Spam E-mail


THE INNOVATION AGENDA


7th District Office  -   1809 7th Avenue, Suite 1212 Seattle, WA 98101-1399     Phone: (206) 553-7170     Fax: (206) 553-7175
D.C. Office  -   1035 Longworth HOB, Washington DC, 20515    Phone: (202) 225-3106     Fax: (202) 225-6197

Privacy Policy  - Site Map