The Senate Republicans are careful to abolish the popular and successful global HIV/AIDS program Pepfar, as they face the July 18 deadline to vote on the first trisks of President Trump’s rescue requests.
In his rescue request for the Congress last month, Trump asked that the $ 900 million budget be canceled for the President’s emergency plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar). The House has already passed Trump’s rescue, and now the Senate will have to take the final step.
Historically, the bipartite HIV program, which was launched under President George W. Bush, has been under Republican investigation in recent years. However, it is still staunch defenders on both sides of the corridor.
Sena Sen Susan Susan Susan Colins (R-Maine) is the chairman of the Senate Appropriation Committee to protest against ending Pepfar.
“I want to attack the rescue of money for Peppar, which has a big record of success, which saved the lives of some 26 million people during the program, as well as preventing about 8 million infants from receiving AIDS from their infected mothers,” said Collins.
“So I can’t imagine why we want to end that program.”
According to other GOP appropriations, support for Pepfar among Republicans remains stronger.
“I think most Republicans probably support a lot of foreign aids that are distributed. It is successful as any foreign aid that we authorize and suitable for it,” said the Sen Mike Rounds (RS.D.).
Under the rescue process, the appropriation committee may approve, rejection or amend the request of Trump. With a week to vote, MPs are still completing the fine details of the package.
“I think there is a discussion around more grainy data,” Sen Shelley Moore Capito (RW.V.) said when asked where the program stood. “Pepfar is a popular program, we know that it is a big change in the lives of a lot of people and globally.”
Sen John Kennedy (R-La) said that his allies were asking “good questions” about the planned cuts, saying that Trump’s budget chief, Ras Wout, would return to the Senate next week to get more answers.
Kennedy said, “It is going to check the intestine for many people, who have talked a lot about that we need to reduce the expenses, but never want to do so to do so.” “You know, it’s like going to heaven. Everyone wants to go to heaven, but no one is ready to travel. And I think it will be unconscious if we do not pass this rescue bill.”
The Congress has resumed Pepfar four times throughout its history, but it rejuvenated for the first time in its history last year.
One year revaluation was finally passed, although it ended in March.
Abortion remains a sticky issue for some Republicans when it comes to maintaining support for Pepper.
Sen. Support rescue package After Vuffed, he told how some money of the program was going towards abortion services.
Earlier this year, it was reported that Pepfar-funded service providers in Mozambic. Demonstrated at least 21 abortion From January 2021, in violation of US law.
Pepfar supporters argue that the program produces Impressive returns For the amount of funding, it accounting for less than 0.1 percent of American spending. During its 22 -year history, Pepfar funding has increased by more than $ 120 billion, with $ 6.5 billion allocated to FY 2025.
Not only Pepfar has been credited with saving the lives of millions, but it is considered one of the strongest components of US foreign policy and abroad.
Former Pepfar Chief of Pepfar Chief of Pepfar at Duke Global Health Institute and Hawk Infectious Disease Partner, Gerear Retavosian said, “I have seen for the first time about diplomatic power that Pepfar brings to our ambassadors in the world around the world.”
Retavosian said, “Cutting reduces the role of America on the world platform, and it is basically like handing influence to countries that do not share our values.” “For me, this is why it is short -sighted and it is our own safety and our own global stand.”
David J., Executive Director of George W Bush Institutes. Kremer warned that any zero anti -American is likely to fill if the pepper has reduced considerably.
Kremer wrote, “Waiting for China and Russia to take advantage of, the United States should falter or go through its commitment.” Letter The Senate Appropriation Committee was addressed.
“While Pepfar focuses on saving life, focusing on Chinese borrowed structures and health programming, there is a decrease in accountability, transparency and long -term stability,” Kreer said. “Russia has expanded its impact on continent – breeding instability and destruction of violence and infrastructure on the way.”
Nevertheless, other people argue that Pepfar was always conceived as a temporary program, in which the final control is infection in countries where support is being supported. As
Retavosian, transitioning Pepfar programs in more than 50 countries where it operates is already running, but that process takes time and money.
“The administration says that Pepfar focuses on the country -led programming, so take funding away from countries and lead the countries to lead your HIV programming. But it then wants to earn $ 400 million, which Pepper needs to create that kind of transition in the first time for a lot of resources. So, it is like that, it is like that,” it is like that, ” Said.
