Bush to Ask for More Money to Fight AIDS in Africa

ABC News’ Jonathan Karl Reports: Tomorrow afternoon in the Rose Garden, President Bush will call on Congress to spend $30 billion over the next five years to combat AIDS in Africa, double the amount he called for in his 2003 state of the union address. He will also announce the First Lady will embark on a 4-nation Africa trip on June 25-29 (Mali, Zambia, Senegal, Mozambique).

The White House sees Africa as a place where he can claim a legacy. By the end of 2008, the US will have spent more than $18 billion fighting AIDS in Africa since his 2003 State of the Union, treating about 1 million people. Under the new proposal, those people would continue to be treated and a total of 2.5 million will be treated over the next five years.