Senate GOP Blocks $50 Billion AIDS Bill Despite President’s Support

[babylonsister]

Senate GOP Blocks $50 Billion AIDS Bill Despite President’s Support


Senate Republicans Friday blocked passage of a five-year, $50 billion authorization to treat AIDS and other diseases overseas, depriving President Bush of a talking point at the Group of Eight summit that begins July 7.

Bush had sought Senate passage of the bill to use as ammunition at the meeting in order to argue for large contributions from other developed nations. The House passed a similar $50 billion bill April 2 by 308-116.

“The White House made a number of calls this morning, but obviously not enough,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nev., after Jeff Sessions , R-Ala., objected to his request to pass the bill. “They’re concerned that the president’s going to be embarrassed when he is {not able} to say that this legislation is going to be approved.”

A group of bipartisan negotiators, led by Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joseph R. Biden Jr. , D-Del., ranking Republican Richard G. Lugar of Indiana and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee ranking Republican Michael B. Enzi of Wyoming, had been working to resolve objections to the bill. They crossed a significant hurdle June 25, when Tom Coburn , R-Okla., who had led opponents, agreed to support the bill.

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