US senators exempt HIV/Aids funding from planned spending cuts

 

In a notable bipartisan effort, US senators have moved to shield the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) from a sweeping set of proposed federal spending cuts. The $400 million earmarked for Pepfar was initially slated to be cut as part of a broader $9 billion rescission package aimed at slashing government spending. However, following bipartisan resistance, the Senate introduced an amendment that would remove this specific cut, preserving Pepfar funding intact.

The amendment is tied to a rescissions bill   a type of legislation used to cancel previously approved federal funds. The broader bill also targets reductions to international aid and public broadcasting, with specific cuts planned for entities like NPR, PBS, and the now-defunct USAID.

With a Friday deadline looming, the Senate must approve the changes before sending the amended bill back to the House of Representatives for a final vote. The decision to preserve Pepfar comes amid President Donald Trump’s aggressive push for reduced government spending during his second term. Trump’s administration has already shuttered USAID and initiated spending rollbacks that have had widespread effects, including the closure of HIV/AIDS clinics in countries such as South Africa.

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The decision to spare Pepfar emerged amid rising concern among senators across party lines. The program, created under President George W. Bush, has received global praise for helping save tens of millions of lives through its support for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention. Senators Susan Collins (Republican) and others had previously voiced strong objections to slashing its funding. Collins, while pleased with the amendment, has yet to confirm her final vote on the bill.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged the intense pressure and bipartisan "interest" in preserving Pepfar. With Republicans holding a slim majority, losing even a handful of votes could derail the bill, assuming unanimous Democratic opposition. The White House has indicated its support for the Senate’s revised version, with Budget Director Russell Vought confirming that President Trump would sign the bill in its current form.

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Despite this reprieve for Pepfar, the broader rescission bill still proposes deep cuts to other foreign aid programs and domestic services, particularly public broadcasting. Critics argue that these rollbacks threaten essential health and educational infrastructure at home and abroad. The dismantling of USAID and the strain on HIV/AIDS services in the Global South underline concerns that the current administration’s cost-cutting measures may undercut long-standing US commitments to global health.

The final fate of the bill   and the future of Pepfar and other programs   now hinges on the House's upcoming vote.