Representative Roy Blunt said while he supports the President's goal of sending $30 billion dollars to fight AIDS in Africa, he can't sign on to a Democratic proposal that increases the cost. "I've said on more than one occasion that the president's initiative on fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa is an important humanitarian mission," Blunt said.
“That’s why this Congress stood behind the president when he suggested doubling the program from $15 billion to $30 billion. Unfortunately, the legislation we voted on today barely resembles that request – with the CBO itself finding the program lacks the capacity to spend in 10 years what the majority believes it can disburse in just five," Blunt added.
A Republican amendment that failed would have brought the bill in line with the President's $30 billion dollar request.
Blunt maintains the Democrats $50 billion dollar package cannot be disbursed "in an efficient and effective matter."
