We did it! Our voice was among the chorus of supporters which helped to increase funding and scope for PEPFAR!
On Wednesday afternoon, the U.S. Senate passed a bill authorizing $48 billion over the next five years to support global efforts to control AIDS, malaria, and TB.
This is a major expansion both in funding and in scope of PEPFAR, the $15 billion, five-year, 2003 landmark initiative of President Bush.
The bill, approved by a 80-16 vote, carries the name, "Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008."
It will focus additional resources on malaria and TB as well as AIDS, and will cover the period 2009-2013. For the money to actually become available, Congress will have to appropriate money during each of the five years.
During the first five PEPFAR years, however, Congress actually provided over $19 billion, about 30% higher than the initial authorization, because the program was so popular, with a reputation of being effective, resulting in saving hundreds of thousands of lives.
Want to know how your senator voted? Check it out here.
A few months ago the U.S. House of Representatives passed a similar bill. The Senate and the House will have to agree on a single version, which President Bush is expected to sign.
Although the program had widespread support in the Senate, a handful of opposing Senators used various procedural maneuvers to delay passage.
There was an amazing advocacy mobilization by many players, including CRWRC and Office of Social Justice constituents, to pressure the Senate to act.
Among the advocacy community, the passage of the bill yesterday created an exuberant atmosphere with high hopes for continued U.S. leadership in fighting the three big killer diseases in developing countries.
There is widespread recognition and appreciation of the important role played by the faith community in bringing to pass this encouraging legislative outcome.
