House reauthorizes Africa AIDS relief program with safeguards against promoting abortion

The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program, established during the Bush era, has been instrumental in saving countless lives in the fight against AIDS. In the wake of a contentious congressional battle, the House has now reauthorized PEPFAR, including safeguards against abortion promotion overseas.

Last week, in a 216-212 vote, the House of Representatives passed the State Foreign Operations Appropriations bill (HR 4665) reauthorizing PEPFAR, with robust provisions aimed at protecting preborn children and their mothers.

“Regrettably, PEPFAR has been reimagined—hijacked—by the Biden Administration to empower pro-abortion international non-governmental organizations, deviating from its life-affirming work,” said Rep. Chris Smith, Chair of the House Global Health Subcommittee, who was the prime sponsor of the reauthorization of PEPFAR in 2018.

“Thankfully, the House has voted to reject Biden’s new PEPFAR abortion promotion strategy and increase spending for its life-saving programs while ensuring key pro-life protections,” Smith added. 

The Bush Administration launched PEPFAR in 2003 to address the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, particularly in Africa. Through PEPFAR, the U.S. government has put over $100 billion into fighting HIV/AIDS worldwide over the past two decades. This is the most money any country has ever spent on a single disease, according to the State Department. 

Troublingly, however, the program recently became ensnared by politicians pushing an abortion agenda under the guise of “sexual reproductive health, rights, and services.” A September 2022 document titled “Reimagining PEPFAR’s Strategic Direction” says that “[w]here possible, PEPFAR will integrate HIV programming into strengthened public health systems to manage tuberculosis, high burden non-communicable diseases, sexual reproductive health, rights and services, as well as other local health priorities that impact PLHIV [people living with HIV/AIDS] – to protect HIV/AIDS gains and strengthen health and economic outcomes.”

As Live Action News previously reported, in May, the Heritage Foundation released a report expressing concerns that the Biden Administration was using PEPFAR to promote its “radical social agenda overseas.” The report prompted many conservative group leaders and pro-life organizations to write letters to Congress, asking them to ensure taxpayer dollars don’t go towards promoting abortions. In addition, 131 African lawmakers and religious leaders urged Congress not to exploit PEPFAR by using it to fund abortion.

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In the wake of the reauthorization of PEPFAR, many pro-life organizations praised the inclusion of language protecting against abortion promotion. The March for Life issued a supportive statement to Fox News Digital, commending the House for extending funding and adding safeguards against abortion.

“Having worked years ago on the historic, bipartisan PEPFAR program for HIV/AIDS relief, I am most grateful to the House of Representatives for protecting this life-saving initiative from the Biden administration’s expansion of this program beyond its mission: from HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care – to advocacy and funding for so-called ‘reproductive health, rights and services,'” Jeanne Mancini, president of March for Life, said.

The House’s resolution action to stand up for the preborn sends a clear and resounding message reverberating throughout the United States that important, life-saving initiatives — like AIDS relief — should never be entangled with abortion advocacy.