Global Laser Talk February 2012

Speaking to Congress About Our Global Poverty Appropriations Requests

Foreign aid is a critical part of our foreign policy, but it is consistently under threat.

So we must invest foreign aid dollars wisely. For example, we know that the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has enabled 3.3 million people to receive antiretroviral treatment. We know that education is the most effective tool for preventing maternal and child deaths. And we know that microfinance helps people lift themselves out of poverty.

The following investments for FY13 will make good use of our foreign aid dollars.

1. $1.65 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria
2. $650 million for bilateral efforts to control TB
3. $500 million for microfinance and microenterprise programs, with at least fifty percent benefiting the very poor
4. $125 million for the Global Partnership for Education within basic education assistance
5. $145 million for GAVI Alliance and childhood vaccines

Will you speak to the chair and ranking members of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee of Appropriations about our investments in these effective poverty solutions? I can provide more detailed information on any of these requests.