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July 2, 2003
The Honorable Bill Frist
Senate Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Frist:
I write on behalf of the USCCB and CRS to urge you to schedule time for consideration of S. 1160, the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003, as soon as possible.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted to favorably report S. 1160 to the full Senate on May 21, 2003. This measure would authorize $1 billion in FY04 in additional funding for U.S. bilateral assistance to developing countries.
As you may be aware, the U.S. Catholic bishops have been supportive of key aspects of this new initiative and believe that swift consideration of the authorizing legislation is crucial to ensuring that FY04 funding for the MCA be appropriated.
We hope that upon your return from the July 4th recess you will schedule time before the August work recess for consideration of this very important legislation.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend John H. Ricard
Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee
Chairman
Committee on International Policy