[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 139 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 139

  Recognizing the critical role that PEPFAR has played in the global 
                        fight against HIV/AIDS.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 30, 2023

 Mr. Graham (for himself, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Coons, and Mr. Van Hollen) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                          on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing the critical role that PEPFAR has played in the global 
                        fight against HIV/AIDS.

Whereas the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (referred to in this 
        preamble as ``PEPFAR''), launched 20 years ago by President George W. 
        Bush and supported by every President and Congress since, has proven to 
        be one of the most successful health programs in modern history;
Whereas private organizations, including the ONE Campaign and the Elton John 
        AIDS Foundation, like many others, have been indispensable partners in 
        supporting PEPFAR and advancing its causes;
Whereas PEPFAR has been a critical tool in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, 
        providing vital resources and support to countries most affected by the 
        HIV/AIDS epidemic and saving more than 25,000,000 lives;
Whereas PEPFAR has supported HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care programs 
        in more than 50 countries and currently provides life-saving 
        antiretroviral treatment to 20,100,000 individuals;
Whereas, since 2010, PEPFAR has achieved a 50 percent reduction in new HIV cases 
        in young women between 15 and 24 years of age and a 65 percent reduction 
        in new HIV cases in young men between 15 and 24 years of age;
Whereas PEPFAR has contributed to progress in reducing mother-to-child 
        transmission of HIV, with more than 5,500,000 babies born HIV-free to 
        mothers who have HIV and who received antiretroviral medication through 
        PEPFAR-supported programs;
Whereas, as of September 30, 2022, 1,500,000 individuals are receiving 
        antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (referred to in this clause as 
        ``PrEP'') to prevent HIV infection, and access to PrEP programs must be 
        expanded;
Whereas PEPFAR has supported the expansion of HIV/AIDS services for children, 
        adolescents, and young people, including for the more than 1,500,000 
        children receiving HIV treatment through PEPFAR-supported programs;
Whereas PEPFAR has dramatically reduced the stigma and discrimination associated 
        with HIV/AIDS;
Whereas PEPFAR prioritizes reaching adolescent girls and young women, who are 
        disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, through 
        the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe 
        program (commonly known as ``DREAMS''), which has assisted more than 
        1,600,000 adolescent girls and young women with HIV prevention services;
Whereas PEPFAR has been a key partner in the global COVID-19 response, 
        supporting the delivery of essential HIV/AIDS services and strengthening 
        health systems to ensure continuity of care, including by delivering 
        more than 60,000,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in sub-Saharan 
        Africa; and
Whereas challenges in combating HIV/AIDS, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, 
        remain and will not be overcome without continued PEPFAR support: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the critical role that the President's 
        Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (referred to in this resolution 
        as ``PEPFAR'') has played in the global fight against HIV/AIDS;
            (2) applauds the successes and accomplishments of PEPFAR to 
        date; and
            (3) urges continued funding and support for PEPFAR to help 
        achieve the goal of ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat 
        by 2030.
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