Senate Says Yes to New Direction for Colombia Aid
September 7, 2007

We are delighted to tell you that the positive new direction in aid to Colombia emerged unscathed as the foreign aid bill was approved by the full Senate yesterday. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) attempted to reverse these positive changes by introducing an amendment to increase funding for aerial spraying by $30 million, even though the White House's own drug policy office reported earlier this year that coca cultivation has increased despite record levels of spraying. Fortunately, Senator Martinez eventually backed down and withdrew his amendment.

While the final details will have to be sorted out by the House-Senate conference committee, we now know that these positive changes will stay:
- military aid and funds for aerial spraying will be cut
- aid will be increased for victims of violence - including displaced people, Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities - and for victims' legal aid programs
- aid for investigating and prosecuting human rights abuses will be increased
human rights conditions will cover a greater percentage of military aid and will include a special clause on Afro-Colombians

The result, while far from perfect, is a huge step in the right direction. This victory would not have been won without all of your hard work in encouraging your representatives and senators to support a different approach to Colombia. Thank you!

The one wild card is that President Bush has threatened to veto the entire foreign aid bill because of a political dispute over family planning (both the House and Senate bills permit grants of contraceptives to clinics that provide abortion services). If this happens, congressional leaders may be forced to enter negotiations with administration officials to arrive at a final bill.