Mike Pence Statement to Foreign Affairs Committee on Global HIV/AIDS Legislation

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Mike Pence gave the following statement during Wednesday's consideration of the Tom Lantos and Henry Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 in the House Foreign Affairs Committee.  Pence is the ranking member of the Middle East and South Asia Subcommittee:

"I rise in cautious support of H.R. 5501. I say cautious only for the reason that I'm not that fast of a reader.

"I want to identify myself with some of the concerns expressed by my colleague from Arizona, that $50 billion dollar legislation affecting five years of U.S. policy on the continent of Africa is more than breakfast reading.

"But from what I know, it seems that the Tom Lantos and Henry Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV-AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 has reached a thoughtful and bipartisan agreement that will convey American resources in a manner that is consistent with American values to confront the pandemic of HIV-AIDS in Africa.  And I'm anxious to support that effort—within those boundaries.

"HIV-AIDS as a pandemic has infected more than 60 million people worldwide.  It has killed more than 25 million in its wake.  It's orphaned 14 million children and today nearly 70 percent of the people in the world who are afflicted with HIV-AIDS reside in Africa.  Within that continent it is heartbreaking to think that there are whole countries where more than one-third of the adult population is infected.

"Back in January 2003, I was pleased to see President Bush propose the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief as ‘a work of mercy beyond all current international efforts to help the people of Africa.'

"Despite my stingy fiscal conservatism, I was pleased to support this legislation, because the American people have a heart bigger than their wallet.  And seeing the crisis on the continent of Africa, the American people, I believe, desperately wanted us to respond.

"But it was important that we respond in a way that respected their values and respected the traditional and historic limitations on the use of foreign aid on the world stage.

"That's why I'm cautiously optimistic that we have reached an acceptable compromise in this reauthorization today.  It appears that we have found a way to preserve the original intent and mission of PEPFAR without opening this funding up to organizations and practices that many American citizens find morally objectionable.

"As I said in recent weeks, Mr. Chairman, it appeared that it would be possible or it was potential at least that this critical humanitarian legislation could be in jeopardy by entering into the divisive issue of funding abortion providers worldwide.

"And I commend you, Mr. Chairman, and the Ranking Member for finding a way to set aside those arguments and reauthorize the program with a significant expansion and funding but without having to ask millions of American taxpayers to set aside their deep concern for the use of their tax dollars on the global stage in a way that is inconsistent with their values.

"I especially am moved this morning, particularly in the wake of the tragic recent loss of our colleague and former chairman, Tom Lantos, and last year's passing of former chairman Henry Hyde to see that a piece of legislation that I believe is so reflective of the core of both men.

"Both men were deeply committed to humanitarian causes and to confronting injustice in the world, including the injustice and the ravages of disease. But I will say gently and respectfully that it appears to me at this point that we've also crafted legislation that honors Mr. Hyde's deep commitment to respecting the pro-life views of millions of Americans in the administration of foreign aid.

"And so with that I lend my support, anxious to continue to monitor the legislation as it moves to the floor and moves through conference, but I want to express my gratitude to the leadership of this committee on both sides of the aisle."

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