Statement on House of Representatives Action on Debt-Relief Legislation

While the bill passed today underfunds vital international priorities and should not become law, the Waters amendment passed by the House of Representatives increasing funding to the Heavily Indebted Poorest Countries (HIPC) initiative is an enormously encouraging step. Relieving the world's poorest nations of crushing debt obligations will help free up crucial funds for education, health care, and basic human needs. Unsustainable debt continues to help keep too many poor countries and poor people in poverty. I urge Congress to pass the full amount that I have requested for debt relief this year. As it stands, this bill still falls far short of what is necessary to fully implement this initiative.