NOTE: In April of this year, Senator McCain announced that he would "institute a one-year pause in all discretionary spending increases, with the exception of military spending and veterans benefits," while he conducted a review of all federal programs.

NOTE: In the wake of the economic crisis, Senator Obama has said that we "may have to delay [a doubling of foreign assistance] a little bit."

Reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis

I believe that many nations will not reach their true potential without outside help to combat the entrenched problem of HIV/AIDS, which afflicts poorer nations more severely. It's critical that we face this crisis head-on, which is why I was a co-sponsor of the reauthorization of PEPFAR that will provide $48 billion for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria funding by 2013.

I'll double annual foreign assistance from $25b to $50b by 2012. I was a co-sponsor of the Lantos-Hyde Act that authorized $48 billion by 2013 for HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB. I support lifting the 33% cap on US contributions to the Global Fund, ensuring at least 4.5 million people are on ARV treatment by 2013, and preventing 12 million new infections.

Eradicating Malaria

As president, I will establish the goal of eradicating malaria -- the number one killer of children under five in Africa -- from the continent. Such a campaign would save millions of lives in the world's poorest regions where public health remains a critical problem.

I will support the goal of ending deaths from malaria by 2015 by building on the $1billion per year commitment to malaria in the recent PEPFAR reauthorization and dramatically expanding access to mosquito nets that for less than $6 will lower the risk of getting malaria and save lives. I will also expand access to ACTs - at the relatively inexpensive cost of $2 per dose - to treat people who get malaria.

Improving Child and Maternal Health

The key to eradicating many diseases in poorer countries is through more accessible preventative health care, particularly prenatal and child care. We must work to wipe out childbirth disabilities and childhood diseases in poorer countries that were long ago eradicated in our own country, such as obstetric fistula and tuberculosis. I will make it a priority to improve maternal and child health.

I will increase funding for child and maternal health and ensure that increases in other important areas - including HIV/AIDS - do not come at the expense of child health and survival programs. I will expand access to vaccinations, increase research into new vaccines, and expand access to reproductive health programs.

Achieving Universal Primary Education

Among the most important determinants of economic well-being is educational attainment. The statistics are undeniable; if you can get a decent education, you can free yourself from the threat of poverty. This is why we all should agree that a quality education is the right of every child.

Worldwide, an estimated 100 million children - including nearly 60 million girls - are not attending school. By 2010, getting these children into school could cost $10b annually. To meet our share of that sum, I look forward to signing the Education for All Act and will request the funding levels needed to carry it out.

Food and Clean Water

I understand that no amount of development initiatives can succeed as long as the populations they are to serve go thirsty and hungry. The recent U.S. commitment to a public-private partnership to deliver clean water to 10 million Africans by 2010 is just one example of how the U.S. can help bring basic necessities to needy populations.

More than 1b people lack access to clean water, and that number will increase with the impact of climate change. The US has an obligation to increase access to clean water and sanitation. Through increased funding of up to $1.3b annually and innovative programs like 'play pumps,' I will expand access to clean water and sanitation.

Additional commitments for the world's poor

I would pursue policies that enable entrepreneurs in the developing world to increase their access to international markets - which is critical to lifting nations out of poverty. The US should lift trade restrictions and phase out agricultural subsidies that choke off opportunities for poor farmers abroad. The US should also be at the forefront of a Green Revolution in Africa. These and other efforts would assist poorer nations in enabling their citizens to achieve their potential. I would also press nations on the critical importance on good governance and economic and legal reform, because no amount of assistance can succeed when governments fail their people. Finally, America must lead an effort to prevent disease and developmental disabilities among children by providing nutrients and food security.

I'll make the Millennium Development Goals American policy. By the end of my first term I expect to see progress to meeting the MDGs, including reducing by half the number of people living on less than a dollar a day and suffering from hunger, and reversing the number of new HIV infections and malaria cases.