George Bush Institute Urges Congress to Preserve PEPFAR Amidst Abortion Politics; Signature HIV/AIDS Initiative Faces Uncertainty

Institute implores lawmakers to overlook partisan politics, highlighting program's estimated 25 million lives saved since its founding 20 years ago and global importance in fighting HIV/AIDS.

The George Bush Institute has urged Congress to renew the funding for PEPFAR, a program founded by former President George W. Bush in 2003 to combat HIV/AIDS on a global scale.
The program, which has saved an estimated 25 million lives and invested over $100 billion towards the fight against HIV/AIDS, is now facing an uncertain future due to controversies surrounding abortion politics.
Despite PEPFAR's bipartisan support and significant contributions towards reducing the global burden of HIV/AIDS, its authorization lapsed on September 30th, 2023 after some House Republicans claimed funds were being used for abortion services overseas, a claim which the program's officials deny.
Although short-term funding will keep PEPFAR operational for now, its long-term survival is in jeopardy. Without renewal of its authorization, the program could potentially face budget cuts or complete termination.
The Bush Institute's plea emphasizes not only the program’s success in combating HIV/AIDS, but also its role as a symbol of U.S. leadership, highlighting its democratic values of transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making, and its role in countering the growing influence of China and Russia.