HIRC PASSES 'WATER For POOR' ACT

On September 15, 2005, the “Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act” (H.R. 1973) was passed unanimously by the House International Relations Committee. The bi-partisan bill, introduced by Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D, OR) and E. Clay Shaw (R, FL) on April 25th, will strengthen American efforts to increase access to safe water and sanitation in the developing world.

The Representatives in session concisely articulated the bill’s relevance to U.S. national interests. Representative Blumenauer noted the national security role that water plays in conflict management and cooperation. Due to limited sources of clean water supplies, fierce national competition over water resources has prompted fears that water issues contain the seeds of violent conflict. Notably, the Brahimi Report on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations addressed the correlation between poverty and conflict. United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, then Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, accurately observed that “the majority of wars today are wars among the poor.” The lack of access to safe water and sanitation is related to 80% of all diseases in the developing world, thereby building barriers to fighting poverty and increasing the likelihood of violent conflict.

The “Water for Poor” bill is also consistent with President Bush’s commitment to achieving the Millennium Development goal of cutting the lack of access to water and sanitation in half by 2015. By amending the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, HR 1973 will make improving access to clean water and sanitation a specific objective of U.S. foreign assistance programs.

Citizens for Global Solutions recognizes the high importance of improving access to safe water and sanitation around the globe. We commend the efforts of Representatives Blumenauer and Shaw and sincerely hope that this bi-partisan bill, in conjunction with its companion Senate bill (S.492) introduced by Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) and Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), will pass both houses of Congress.

Updated September 19, 2005