Vitter adds monitor for global AIDS fund
by Bruce Alpert - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

Sen. David Vitter, R-La., won approval of an amendment last week that would withhold 20 percent of financing to the Global Fund on AIDS until it sets up a procedure to allow inspectors general to determine whether the money is well-spent.

The legislation, which ultimately passed 80-16 without Vitter's support, will triple U.S. financing for international efforts to combat AIDS.

In pushing for his amendment, Vitter cited reports of waste in the program. The legislation sets aside nearly $50 billion during the next five years to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

President Bush had proposed $30 billion, but later agreed to the higher numbers in the Senate bill. Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., said the program will save lives, noting that 2 million people died of AIDS last year. He said Bush deserves praise for marshaling support for the initiative, calling it his greatest achievement as president.