NY ONE members be proud! On Wednesday, Rep. Nita Lowey (NY-18) stood firm and helped to guide the House State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee fiscal year 2010 funding measure, providing funding to the Global Fund, PEPFAR, and crucial requests for global education, child and maternal health and a host of other important initiatives, to unanimous approval before the subcommittee – passing without any amendments.

Despite the cuts sustained by the 150 account during the budget process, Representative Lowey managed to provide $100 million increase for the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and a small increase for basic education. She was also able to meet the President’s request for PEPFAR, Malaria and for the Millennium Challenge Account. We also commend her efforts to meet the President’s increases for agricultural assistance, even though the funding constraints prevented her from achieving that goal.

Earlier this week, NY ONE members were out in force and met the congresswoman at local grocery stores and coffee shops for her “neighborhood office hours” events. These volunteers were there to thank Rep. Lowey in person for her past work on these issues and to express our support for robust funding for development . Keep it up out there!

-Christopher Geer – ONE Field Organizer