February 9, 2012: The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 11:00 a.m. with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 1813, the Surface Transportation bill. At approximately 2:00 p.m., there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 1813.
Foreign Assistance
While foreign aid comprises less than one percent of the federal budget, it still has a significant impact on foreign policy and military concerns.
I believe that U.S. foreign aid to developing countries has been a cost-effective and important investment. This assistance has helped increase life expectancy by 20 years in third world nations, while child mortality rates have been cut in half. In addition, food assistance has been a vital part of our international development and humanitarian relief efforts. International aid and development can also be in our national security interest by helping to create stable, prosperous societies. If countries have jobs, healthcare, and education infrastructures in place, residents are less likely to resort to extreme, violent measures.
As a member of the Senate Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, it is critically important that Congress maintain strict regulations and appropriate oversight to guarantee foreign aid offered by the U.S. is spent wisely and is provided to those most in need.
Crisis in Sudan
The crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan continues to be one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world. The United Nations estimates that more than 300,000 people have been killed in this conflict, while other organizations believe the actual number is much higher. Over two million have been displaced as a result of ongoing ethnic violence.
International support is needed to end the atrocities there. I am deeply troubled by the situation and believe more must be done to protect the innocent civilians in Darfur. I will urge President Obama to work with the international community in providing more humanitarian relief and helping find a settlement to the conflict in Darfur.
Global AIDS Epidemic
For more than two decades, HIV/AIDS has been a global scourge. It has killed millions of people worldwide, and has left many more people infected. While great strides have been made in treatment and prevention methods, I firmly believe that more can, and must, be done. I have been a staunch supporter of both the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS. Ensuring these programs receive adequate funding is essential if we are to stop this deadly disease.
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