Laura Gillen: “I rise today to address the cruel rescission package that passed the House strictly on partisan lines. Let me be clear…”

“I rise today to address the cruel rescission package that passed the House strictly on partisan lines. Let me be clear: This legislation is a shameful, backwards attempt to cancel $9.8 billion in funding that had already been passed into law. It cuts critical investments in lifesaving programs that support reproductive health and education. It also slashes funding for the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, also known as PEPFAR. This bipartisan initiative has been supported by both parties for 20 years. As a volunteer who stood on the front lines of the AIDS epidemic, I witnessed firsthand and remember when an HIV diagnosis was tantamount to a death sentence. However, because of programs like PEPFAR, this is no longer so. In fact, since its launch in 2003, PEPFAR has saved 26 million lives and enabled 8 million babies to be born without HIV infection. This package also threatens funding to public broadcasting like NPR and PBS which educate, inform, and enrich the lives of Americans. The American people have been clear that they want Congress to lower costs and make life easier for working families. Instead, we are spending our time threatening health programs and trying to take 'Sesame Street' off the air.”