Current SCCS Issues
Spring is an exciting time for child survival advocates, as Congress starts the budget process afresh and SCCS holds its annual conference and lobby day. SCCS’s focus this semester is on orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), and our advocacy will focus on legislation that assists these children. Our primary legislative target is the CHILD Act, and several other bills that also relate to child survival and OVC. Advocacy coordinators Diane Tran and Molly Lewis will keep you posted on developments on the Hill and opportunities to get actively involved through letters, phone calls, and petitions. Keep your eyes peeled for news on the following bills:
Child Act - Representative Betty McCollum (MN-4) introduced The Child Health Investment for Long Term Development Act (House Resolution 4222) in November 2005. The bill authorizes the establishment of a fund specifically for child survival that will support vital health programs for children in developing countries. Click here to find out more information about the CHILD Act and ways to express your support.
Orphans and Vulnerable Children Act - The OVC Act (Senate Resolution 350, House Resolution 1409) was passed into law in November 2005. It mandates that the President develop a strategy for coordinating, implementing, and monitoring assistance programs for orphans and vulnerable children. Now that the bill has been passed, it is important that it is implemented quickly, is fully funded, and maximizes the benefit to the children themselves.
Jubilee Act - The Jubilee Act (House Resolution 1130) provides for the cancellation of debts owed by poor countries to international financial institutions. It was introduced by Representative Maxine Waters (CA-35) in March 2005 and currently has 78 cosponsors.
Presidential Malaria Initiative - President Bush announced a new malaria initiative in July 2005 that includes $1.7 billion in aid to Africa, with $1.2 billion directed against malaria. Some critics of the bill have protested that most of the aid is not new money but current aid money re-packaged. SCCS will be watching closely to make sure that President Bush follows through and offers additional aid to that currently offered.
