House passes bill expanding debt relief to poor countries
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Debt relief for many of the world's poorest countries is a step closer with the April 16 passage of a measure by the U.S. House of Representatives. The Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation passed 285-132. The vote was timed for the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States. Receiving broad bipartisan support, the bill calls for expanding debt relief for as many as 24 countries with a per capita income of less than $1,065 a year as long as they meet specific criteria for more transparent and responsible behavior in the distribution of foreign aid. Forty other poor countries are eligible under existing debt relief guidelines. "We want to make sure the benefits of debt cancellation get to people who need it," said Neil Watkins, national coordinator of Jubilee USA Network, a coalition of organizations which is spearheading the debt relief campaign.
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Source: http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20080417.htm