During consideration of a bill to authorize fifteen billion over five years in funding for international AIDS relief, Congressman Smith (R-MI) proposed an amendment that would have reduced AIDS relief spending in 2004 from $3 billion to $2 billion. Progressives opposed the Smith measure because they regarded AIDS as needed immediately. Moreover, some lawmakers worried that adopting the Smith amendment would have upset the carefully-crafted compromises made in committee to secure passage of the bill on the House floor. The proposed reduction in AIDS relief was defeated by a 130-288 margin.