House votes for more foreign AIDS funds

A U.S. congressional committee on Thursday voted to cut back funds President Bush had requested for his signature foreign aid program but also voted to provide significantly more money to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria than Bush had requested. The $20.3 billion foreign aid bill approved unanimously by the House Appropriations foreign aid subcommittee included $1.75 billion for the Millennium Challenge Account, $1.25 billion less than Bush wanted. The House panel's bill also includes a total of $2.7 billion to fight AIDS, up $131 million from Bush's request and up $502 million from current levels. It allocates $400 million--double the White House request--for the U.S. contribution to the Global Fund. The Senate has yet to take up the appropriations bill. (Reuters)