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Biden-Lugar AIDS Legislation Passed by Senate Committee

Senator Lugar Calls $50 Billion a "Reasonable Target"

March 13, 2008—Today, by an overwhelming majority, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved legislation that promises a major funding increase for AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria programs. 

The bill would authorize, though not appropriate, a total of $50 billion, including $37 billion for AIDS programs and another $13 billion for tuberculosis and malaria programs through both bilateral initiatives and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. To ensure US assistance can be fully utilized, the bill also includes important provisions that would strengthen health system capacity.

Senator Lugar stated: "I understand that some members would spend less than $50 billion, while others would spend more. But this is a reasonable target that has emerged from good faith negotiations between Congress and the White House. I believe it will maximize the humanitarian and foreign policy benefits of the PEPFAR program."

"I congratulate this Committee and, in particular, I thank Senator Biden and Senator Lugar for their leadership in sponsoring this bill," said Dr. Paul Zeitz, Executive Director of the Global AIDS Alliance. "I am especially glad to see that this bill requires a well-designed strategy to meet the needs of women and girls, and it includes provisions on microbicide development."

Despite its virtues, there are several issues that should be addressed before this bill is approved by the full Senate or in House-Senate conference:

  • Family planning is crucial for HIV-positive women, yet the bill does not include any specific provisions regarding such services.
  • HIV/AIDS treatment should be held to a basic standard, yet the bill does not specify any standard whatsoever, while it does so in other areas, such as malaria and tuberculosis services.
  • The US contribution to the Global Fund should follow the calendar year, since many other major donors do not follow the US fiscal calendar.
  • There are other issues of significant concern, such as aspects of the provision requiring support for behavior change programs, the requirement that programs receiving US funds oppose the practice of sex work, and the impact of International Monetary Fund policy on health services.

"We hope that some of our concerns can be addressed as this process moves forward," said Zeitz.