October 05, 2010

Barbara Lee Statement on Obama Administration Pledge to Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria

For immediate Release
 

Contact: Nicole Y. Williams
(202) 225- 2661

 

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement on the Obama Administration’s three-year pledge to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria.

“As a strong supporter and co-author of the legislation that provided the founding contribution and helped establish the framework for the Global Fund – I appreciate the President’s ongoing commitment to this important institution and his willingness to make a three year contribution pledge.

“The Global Fund has already saved an estimated 5.7 million lives across 145 countries through its programs – a clear and tangible return on the investment that American taxpayers have provided over the years.

“While a three year commitment of $4 billion does represent an increase in funding, it falls far short of the $6 billion pledge that I and 100 of my colleagues urged the President to make in July.

“I continue to believe that the United States can and should contribute more to the work of the Global Fund, both in terms of direct contributions, and through further support and collaboration with our bilateral HIV/AIDS programs through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

“I am committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to increase the size of our contribution with the view that this $4 billion pledge represents a floor and not the ceiling of our total commitment to the Global Fund.”

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