Senate Moves on
$50 Billion AIDS Bill

The Senate this week will move ahead with a $50 billion AIDS initiative that has the support of Democrats, Republicans, and the White House, reports The New York Times.

The bill is opposed, however, by Republican U.S. senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina. DeMint forced the Senate last week to take a Friday evening procedural vote in order to begin debate on the bill. He then missed the vote he had instigated, resulting in members on the floor booing the senator.

DeMint is scheduled to offer a proposal to reduce the five-year cost of the legislation to $35 billion.

The current bill seeks to step up AIDS treatment and prevention efforts in Africa, Asia, and elsewhere.

Eventual approval appears likely given strong bipartisan support and the approval of President Bush. (The Advocate)