On the recordNovember 13, 2018
We have made unprecedented strides in the fight against HIV and AIDS. The need for robust investments, though, is more important than ever. A report released by The Lancet in July found that the HIV pandemic is not on track to end and that little progress has been made in reducing new infections over the past decade. Tens of millions of people will require access to sustained antiretroviral treatment for decades to come. According to PEPFAR, every week, 32,000 people are infected with HIV globally, including 6,900 young women and 3,000 children. Mr. Speaker, 19,000 people die of AIDS-related illnesses each week. Without a renewed global effort to address HIV, we really do risk the epidemic rebounding. We cannot allow that to happen. That is why we must reject any attempts--any attempts--by the Trump administration to cut any funding for PEPFAR and the Global Fund, and fight against the imposition of the global gag rule, which is already affecting access to critical healthcare services around the world. Support for PEPFAR and the Global Fund has never been a partisan issue. We cannot allow that to change now. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the bill, and I want to thank my colleagues so much for their support and for helping us work through these very tough negotiations this time. We will move forward and, hopefully, find solace in the fact that we can wipe AIDS from the face of this Earth by 2030.
