The House of Representatives has passed a bill to reauthorize the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) while including provisions to restrict funding to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that advocate for abortion. This move sets up a clash with the Senate, as Republicans accuse the Biden administration of trying to expand the program to promote abortion.
The State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill, which includes a one-year extension for PEPFAR, was approved by a vote of 216-212. The bill now prohibits global HIV/AIDS relief funds from going to NGOs that support abortion.
The passage of the bill followed a contentious debate over the Biden administration’s plan to integrate PEPFAR with “sexual reproductive health, rights and services.” This plan raised concerns among Republicans, with Rep. Chris Smith leading the effort to keep abortion support out of PEPFAR.
Rep. Smith accused the Biden administration of “hijacking” the $6.7 billion AIDS program and deviating from its original life-saving mission. However, the House vote rejected the administration’s abortion promotion strategy and increased spending for PEPFAR’s life-saving programs.
The amended bill also reestablishes the Mexico City policy, which prevents foreign aid from supporting organizations that perform or promote abortion. President Biden had previously revoked this policy upon assuming office in January 2021.
Democrats argue that Republicans are endangering lives by threatening to block the reauthorization of PEPFAR. U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator John Nkengasong has stated that PEPFAR has never and would never be used to support abortion.
The House bill, passed without any Democratic votes, will now move on to the Senate. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, the former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, seeks a five-year reauthorization for PEPFAR. However, he recently stepped down from his position due to felony bribery charges, and Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland has taken his place.
Advocates for the bill, such as Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, praised its passage and emphasized that PEPFAR should be protected. She stated that the Biden administration’s attempts to use an AIDS relief program to fund abortion advocates goes against the core mission of PEPFAR.
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, a Republican from Florida, highlighted that the final bill has significantly reduced wasteful spending while prioritizing national security.
