Bush to Congress: No AIDS Program Changes

On his visit to Africa, President Bush called on Congress to approve his signature AIDS relief funding for the continent without any changes currently under discussion amongst the Democratic leadership. He made the call from Tanzania, one country that has benefitted greatly from the program, which has become the largest international public health program dedicated to one disease. President Bush proposed the five-year $15 billion program in his first State of the Union Address in 2002. Last month, in his last State of the Union, he called for the program to renewed and doubled in size to $30 billion.

Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete (above) praised Bush and the AIDS relief program, which has increased the number of Africans on anti-retroviral medications to 1.2 million from just 50,000 before the program was approved.

"Different people may have different views about you and your administration and your legacy. But we in Tanzania, we know for sure that you, Mr. President, and your administration, have been good friends of our country and have been good friends of Africa."

Democrats in Congress have been debating a renewal of the program but are seeking certain changes that the Administration opposes. Congress wants to drop a requirement that one-third of U.S. monies be spent on abstinence education. It also wants to see a provision that certain groups sign anti-prostitution pledges in order to be eligible for U.S. aid. Some Democrats also want to see the size of the program increased, calling the proposed $30 billion too little.

Bush dismissed those concerns, defending the program and the renewal request.

"I understand there's voices on both ends of the political spectrum trying to alter the program. I would ask Congress to listen to leaders on the continent of Africa, analyze what works, stop the squabbling and get the program reauthorized. I happen to think the current policy is reasonable. After all, it's working."

Bush backed up his claims with a visit to a local AIDS treatment hospital, funded partly by U.S. aid dollars. The president chatted with physicians and patients and saw the children who are receiving the benefits of the program. President Kikwete lent the president a hand in lobbying Congress for the renewal. "My passionate appeal is for PEPFAR [the AIDS funding] to continue," he said.

The Administration is very pleased with its progress on the African continent. While much of the rest of the world does not harbor warm feelings for the outgoing Bush Administration, Africa is a place where Bush is generally recognized as a good friend. The Administration is also stung by the scant media attention its Africa initiatives have received. The AIDS program and the Millennium Challenge Accounts are considered by the Administration to be two of Mr. Bush's greatest legacy items. The White House will continue to push hard for renewals of both programs in their current form.