February 26, 2008
Contact: Cleve Mesidor, (202) 225-2661
(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9), who has been appointed to serve on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs temporarily, released the following statement regarding today’s committee mark up of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR):
“The legislation we have passed out of committee today will help our global HIV/AIDS programs achieve sustainability for the long term by grounding and linking them to other core health and development programs.
“I am pleased that the legislation includes language I originally introduced in HR 1713, the PATHWAY Act, removing the 33 percent abstinence earmark and requiring the development of an HIV prevention strategy specifically for women and youth. Also included are key provisions from my legislation, the African Health Capacity Investment Act (H.R.3812), to build health capacity, train and retain new health workers and strengthen health systems.
“As one of the five original coauthors of the initial legislation establishing PEPFAR in 2003, I want to applaud today’s action. I know that late House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos would have been pleased that we were able to reach a bipartisan compromise on this important initiative, which is truly a tribute to his leadership.
“Increasing this critical program by $50 billion makes it possible for us to prevent 12 million new HIV infections, provide treatment for at least 3 million individuals with HIV/AIDS, with the goal of treating 450,000 children and ensure care for 12 million individuals, including 5 million orphans and vulnerable children in communities affected by HIV/AIDS.
“Although in the end we had to compromise on a several items that were important to me and many Democratic Members, I think this is a good bill and I am pleased to support it.
“I am humbled to serve on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs as we move to improve and renew this historic bipartisan program to eradicate the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. The U.S. Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act is the next phase of America’s commitment and I urge all my colleagues to support the Democratic legislation.”
Congresswoman Barbara Lee is Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus a serves on the Appropriations Committee. She co-authored legislation creating the framework for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in 2000, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in 2003, and legislation on orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS in 2005.
Barbara Lee Applauds Amendments to Sustain Global AIDS Program
For Immediate Release: February 27, 2008Contact: Cleve Mesidor, (202) 225-2661
(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9), who has been appointed to serve on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs temporarily, released the following statement regarding today’s committee mark up of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR):
“The legislation we have passed out of committee today will help our global HIV/AIDS programs achieve sustainability for the long term by grounding and linking them to other core health and development programs.
“I am pleased that the legislation includes language I originally introduced in HR 1713, the PATHWAY Act, removing the 33 percent abstinence earmark and requiring the development of an HIV prevention strategy specifically for women and youth. Also included are key provisions from my legislation, the African Health Capacity Investment Act (H.R.3812), to build health capacity, train and retain new health workers and strengthen health systems.
“As one of the five original coauthors of the initial legislation establishing PEPFAR in 2003, I want to applaud today’s action. I know that late House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos would have been pleased that we were able to reach a bipartisan compromise on this important initiative, which is truly a tribute to his leadership.
“Increasing this critical program by $50 billion makes it possible for us to prevent 12 million new HIV infections, provide treatment for at least 3 million individuals with HIV/AIDS, with the goal of treating 450,000 children and ensure care for 12 million individuals, including 5 million orphans and vulnerable children in communities affected by HIV/AIDS.
“Although in the end we had to compromise on a several items that were important to me and many Democratic Members, I think this is a good bill and I am pleased to support it.
“I am humbled to serve on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs as we move to improve and renew this historic bipartisan program to eradicate the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. The U.S. Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act is the next phase of America’s commitment and I urge all my colleagues to support the Democratic legislation.”
Congresswoman Barbara Lee is Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus a serves on the Appropriations Committee. She co-authored legislation creating the framework for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in 2000, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in 2003, and legislation on orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS in 2005.
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