The House Appropriations Committee on June 14 approved, by voice vote, a $6.5 billion FY2001 emergency supplemental appropriations bill (as-yet-unnumbered). The measure, which would provide additional funding for defense needs as well as emergency natural disaster assistance, will be considered by the House on June 20.
The measure also includes $116 million to enable the Department of Treasury to mail out tax rebates as provided under the recently enacted Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (P.L. 107-16). Additionally, the bill would provide $161 million for Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in order to implement FY2001 Title I allocations to states and local education agencies.
During the six-hour mark-up, Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) offered an amendment that would have provided $250 million for global HIV/AIDS prevention programs. Of that amount, $100 million would have been earmarked for bilateral aid, $100 million would have been used for the newly created multilateral HIV/AIDS trust fund, and $50 million would have been provided for economic development in African countries. The amendment was defeated, 25-30.
The Senate Appropriations Committee will mark up its version of the bill on June 21. At that time, Senators are expected to add funding for international HIV/AIDS prevention programs.
