Blog Contributor:
Ted Brennan
Ted is responsible for Republican outreach to both the House and the Senate. Ted comes to ONE after nearly three years of consulting and more than 12 years with the late Chairman Henry J. Hyde (R-IL) on the House International Relations Committee and Rep. Cass Ballenger (R-NC). He also served as the staff director of the Senate International Narcotics Caucus under Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA).
Nov 22nd, 2011 5:14 PM UTC
By Ted Brennan
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We have much reason to be thankful this November. In my last post, I explained that we were at a critical juncture in the budget process, and why it was important that ONE members, their families and friends contact their senators with an urgent message to support the current Senate funding levels for the 2012 Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs appropriations bill.
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Nov 9th, 2011 1:27 PM UTC
By Ted Brennan
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Next week, the Senate will consider the State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs appropriations bill which funds the State Department and US foreign assistance programs. Our senators have the opportunity to reaffirm American leadership in fighting poverty and preventable diseases around the world by protecting the Senate funding levels contained in the bill against any amendments which would cut such funding.
ONE members and staff have been out in Washington and across the nation meeting with their senators and staff, urging them to fund life-saving programs at the highest level possible. Although the Senate bill funds these programs at levels below the President’s ask, it would allow the critical programs we champion to continue saving lives and ensuring American leadership around the globe.
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Sep 12th, 2011 1:17 PM UTC
By Ted Brennan
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Three outstanding Congressional leaders in the House of Representatives have just announced the establishment of the Congressional Caucus on HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the Caucus is to create an effective forum by which this bipartisan group of Congressional members can address the significant issues surrounding HIV/AIDS through regular events, briefings, conferences and other means designed to bring broader attention and better focus to this critical issue.
Family supported by the Mothers 2 Mothers HIV/AIDS program, funded by PEPFAR
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Jun 17th, 2011 9:52 AM UTC
By Ted Brennan
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Before the African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum in Lusaka, Zambia, we asked Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, about his thoughts on AGOA. Congressman Royce is a well known expert on Africa and a strong proponent of trade as a tool to fight extreme poverty. This is what he said:
“AGOA has been one of the United States’ most effective policy initiatives in Africa. I have seen first-hand how it has benefited tens of thousands of Africans by providing them with employment. Many are women supporting large families.
On a broader level, AGOA has encouraged economic and political reform in African countries through its eligibility standards. This has helped improve business climates, promoting trade with the U.S. Trade increases have helped improve infrastructure, as well as health and education services. AGOA has begun an important trade and investment dialogue between the U.S. and African countries through its annual forum. I have been fortunate to participate in several forums, which aim to better integrate Africa into the global economy.
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Feb 18th, 2011 6:35 PM UTC
By Ted Brennan
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UPDATE: The Continuing Resolution has passed the House by a 235-189 vote. Please join us in calling on the Senate to say no to budget cuts for the world’s poor. We’ll have more for you soon.
Later tonight or tomorrow morning, the House of Representatives is expected to pass its version of a Continuing Resolution that will fund the functions of government for Fiscal Year 2011. This unfortunately means significant cuts to the poverty-fighting programs that ONE supports.
To clarify, since the Congress failed to pass a single appropriations bill last Fiscal Year, the Continuing Resolution or CR, as it is known, keeps the government running until actualappropriations bills can be passed. CRs traditionally provide funding at the levels established on the previous year’s enacted appropriated bills.
However, the Republican-led House, reacting to the fiscal crisis and the urgent need to address government spending and national debt, is seeking to cut funding at or below the FY 2010 levels in this bill. In fact, they will cut at least $100 billion from all non-defense spending, including a total of $9 billion cut from the State-Foreign Operations portion of the bill which houses the majority of ONE priorities. Since final votes have yet to take place, more spending cuts remain a possibility.
So far, the overall State and Foreign Operations portion of the CR has received a 17% cut from the FY 2010 level. ONE’s priorities have taken a significant hit. PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, for example will see an 8% cut. The Global Fund, which is a multi lateral fund to fight HIV/AIDs, TB and Malaria is the biggest loser with a cut of 43% or $450 million from the FY 10 level. Agriculture programs, like Feed the Future are facing a 30% cut in funding. Other accounts to be cut are the Millennuim Challenge Account, and the World Bank .
These cuts are more than just numbers, they have a real-world impact on people who need these programs to survive. For example, the impact of the cuts to the Global Fund alone would:
- 10 million malaria bed nets from being delivered to malaria prone communities
- Prevent 3.7 million people from getting tested for HIV
- Deny 400,000 new patients from getting life-saving ARV treatments
It’s easy to dismiss this House bill as symbolic bill that will get fixed by the Senate, but building pressure to cut spending in the Senate does not guarantee it will be fixed. We’re hearing from many supporters in the Senate that tough choices and difficult votes will have to be made. And with 23 Senators facing the voters in 2012, voting to restore these cuts cannot be guaranteed. In defense of the world’s poor, lending your voice and support to your Senators will go a long way to helping them cast the much needed votes.
ONE will be working hard to make sure the Senate does not pass these devastating cuts. We’ll have more for you soon.
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Oct 29th, 2010 2:30 PM UTC
By Ted Brennan
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With only a few days to go before the 2010 midterm elections, many races across the nation are too close to call. If early voting reports are any guide, indications are that this year’s overall voter turnout may be higher than expected, and therefore every vote will count.
As the assistant director of government affairs at ONE, I know how important it is to have high quality leaders, from both parties, in office. Leaders who not only share our passion for fighting poverty and supporting global health initiatives, but willing to actively work with us to achieve success. If we expect to have the kind of champions we need in Congress, we have to elect them first. This means getting out to vote on November 2. So, don’t sit this one out. Millions of people are counting on you.
To make it easy, we’ve included this handy Google application that helps you find a voting center near you. All you have to do is enter in your zip code:
All American citizens who are 18 years and older have a right to vote and should take advantage of that right on Election Day. Only through the election process can we put leaders into office who are as committed to serving the world’s poorest across the globe as we are at ONE. Tell your family, friends, neighbors and your classmates to vote on November 2.
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Jul 28th, 2010 9:28 AM UTC
By Ted Brennan
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Last night Congress voted to keep America’s commitment to Haiti by delivering promised funding that will assist with Haiti’s reconstruction and debt relief. The bill– which thousands of ONE members called on their elected officials to support– cleared when the House passed the measure on a 308 to 114 vote.
Here are some details about what’s included in this bill (HR 4899). It includes $2.8 billion in funding to support critical relief and recovery efforts in Haiti. Specifically, the bill provides $913 million in international security funding and economic assistance for humanitarian relief, reconstruction, law enforcement and peacekeeping initiatives. The bill also includes $465 million for International Disaster Assistance to respond to humanitarian emergencies and funding to cancel existing debts owed by Haiti– which was the focus of ONE’s effort. The bill also supports U.S. Treasury Department programs to strengthen the country’s financial systems and $96.5 million for increased peacekeeping assessments for the U.N. mission in Haiti.
This was a major victory for the people of Haiti. Great job ONE TEAM!
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