Congresswoman Barbara Lee Hails New Global AIDS Law
For Immediate Release
Contact: Sean P. Nichols
July 30, 2008 (202) 225-2661
Lee, Coauthor of Legislation, Attends White House Signing Ceremony
Washington – Congresswoman Barbara Lee attended the White House signing ceremony of legislation she co-authored reauthorizing The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, (PEPFAR). The House passed the bill on July 25, 2008 by a vote of 303-115 and sent it to the White House for signature.
“I was pleased today to attend the White House signing of legislation reauthorizing the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, PEPFAR,” stated Congresswoman Lee. “As one of the original co-authors of not only this bill but the original legislation in 2003, it has been a tremendous bipartisan effort to get to this day.”
“This bill is the latest in a long string of bipartisan initiatives on global HIV/AIDS that have been born out of a willingness to work together and put the United States on the right side of history when it comes to this global pandemic,” said Lee, a co-author of the legislation. “Despite his failings on so many critical issues, the President deserves recognition for working with Congress to enact this important legislation.”
Today’s signing will authorize a $48 billion increase to the program which will make it possible to prevent 12 million new HIV infections globally, provide treatment for at least 3 million individuals with HIV/AIDS treat 450,000 children and ensure care for 12 million individuals, including 5 million orphans and vulnerable children in communities affected by HIV/AIDS.
“As a Member of the Appropriations Committee and the relevant subcommittees that will fund the programs in this law, I will work to ensure we meet the funding commitments and targets we set out in this important new law.”
Among several provisions authored by Lee, the bill includes language removing the statutory ban on travel and immigration for people living with HIV/AIDS.
“I am so pleased that we were able to eliminate the unjust and discriminatory policy banning HIV/AIDS positive people from entering the United States,” said Lee. “It’s far past time we got rid of this shameful policy. I’m glad we were able to remove the statutory ban and pass this bill less than three before the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City.”
# # #
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland-D) is a leader in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. She co-authored legislation signed into law creating the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in 2000, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2003, the PEPFAR Reauthorization Act in 2008 , and legislation addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS in 2005. She is the only member of Congress serving on both the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education which have jurisdiction over all US global and domestic AIDS programs.