Washington, DC – It’s time for Congress to unpack the suitcases from the summer break and take major steps forward in the battle against extreme global poverty and preventable diseases.

While the September debate in Congress will focus a great deal on the war in Iraq, ONE members spent the month of August drawing lawmakers’ attention to other key pieces of legislation including the State/Foreign Operations Appropriations bill; debt relief/Jubilee Act; the Global Child Survival Act; and a more balanced Farm Bill.  At each meeting with Members of Congress in their state and district offices, ONE members highlighted the urgency of these bills.

“These bills represent more than the run-of-the-mill work in Washington.  These bills offer an opportunity to save countless lives.  By moving forward with these bills and making good on the promises of help that American leaders have long made, Congress has the chance to save countless lives,” ONE’s Kimberly Cadena said.

“Congress needs to show the determination to take these steps forward.  These bills represent progress in the effort to conquer extreme poverty and preventable disease.  We can save the lives of tens of thousands of people living in the world’s worst conditions,” Cadena added.

ONE is a group of millions of ordinary Americans who have confidence that this Congress can make real progress in the fight against poverty.  Ultimately, by making a way for people in Africa, Asia and elsewhere to rise out of poverty and become contributing citizens, Members of Congress make the world more stable and America safer.  ONE members are dedicated to raising awareness of these legislative opportunities and look forward to a hopeful, successful end to 2007.

ONE is asking for robust increases in poverty-fighting development assistance in Fiscal 2008 State-Foreign Operations appropriations bill to help put children in school, provide access to clean water, improve child and maternal health and save lives by fighting HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.  ONE encourages Senate leaders to increase funding for basic education and the Millennium Challenge Account when they consider the bill later this week.

The Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation Act would expand debt cancellation without imposing harmful economic conditions on impoverished nations, and ensure that the benefits from debt cancellation will not be eroded by future bad loans to those nations.  For the world’s most impoverished countries, the cost of debt overshadows their ability to provide access to clean water, education and basic healthcare.  Debt cancellation is central to the fight against poverty and the key to ensure the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

The Global Child Survival Act would double current funding for child survival and maternal health programs, require an integrated U.S. strategy for improving child and maternal health, and establish guidelines for child survival programs.  With an increase in funding and coordination, children and mothers would receive interventions like vaccinations, antibiotics, and vitamin A that can make a difference between life and death in developing countries.

The five-year Farm Bill will expire on Sept. 30th, presenting an opportunity to make needed changes that would have a significant impact in developing countries, especially for poor farmers. Addressing current inefficiencies in the U.S. Farm Bill is necessary in order to unlock the ability of small farmers in developing countries – who comprise the majority of the world’s hungry people – to improve their livelihoods and escape poverty.

The Global Resources and Opportunities for Women to Thrive Act (GROWTH Act) is groundbreaking legislation that proposes important changes to U.S. international assistance and trade programs to prioritize economic opportunities for women living in poverty worldwide.  Investing in women is one of the surest routes to ending poverty in the developing world.  The innovative provisions of the GROWTH Act remove a range of barriers that prevent women from participating actively in their countries’ economies.  If passed, it would make U.S. policy a driver of positive change for women around the world.

The Education for All Act attacks poverty at its roots, and strengthens families, communities, and nations.  In addition to equipping a child with the knowledge and skills needed for a productive life, a basic education offers even deeper and wider returns for health, economic growth, and security, particularly in countries emerging from crisis.  The Education for All Act authorizes an increased financial commitment, $1 billion for FY 2008, for U.S. efforts to achieve universal basic education.