Washington, D.C. – The Trump administration is delaying the release of significant funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S.government’s global initiative to combat HIV/AIDS, raising concerns about potential disruptions to critical programs and a possible increase in preventable deaths. The move comes as the administration pursues broader efforts to restrict foreign aid, facing legal challenges and congressional opposition.
PEPFAR, established in 2003 under President George W. Bush, has been widely credited with saving millions of lives and considerably curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS worldwide, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The current funding freeze casts uncertainty over the program’s ability to maintain its momentum and continue providing life-saving treatment and prevention services.While the exact amount of funding being held up remains unclear,the delay is prompting alarm among advocates and lawmakers who fear the consequences for global health security.
Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, has directly criticized Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought, stating, ”even after promising Republican lawmakers that the program would be protected, he’s choked off a huge chunk of funding provided by Congress for PEPFAR.” Murray further emphasized the urgency, telling CNN in a statement, “The law is clear as day: the full funding Congress provided must be used for the work PEPFAR dose day in and out. The more these funds are obstructed and delayed, the more people will die needlessly.”
CNN has reached out to OMB for comment but has not received a response.
the funding delay is part of a larger pattern of the Trump administration attempting to restrict congressionally approved foreign aid.Last week, president Trump notified Congress of his intention to cancel $4.9 billion in foreign aid already allocated for the current fiscal year, a move questioned by lawmakers from both parties as possibly illegal. The U.S.Government Accountability Office has stated that rescissions so late in the fiscal year are unlawful.
A federal judge ruled last Wednesday that the administration cannot withhold budgeted foreign aid without congressional approval, particularly funds set to expire at the end of the month. However, the White House is continuing to challenge this ruling, both in the courts and on Capitol Hill, with president Trump asking the Supreme Court on monday to intervene in the dispute.
