[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 192 (Tuesday, December 3, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H9192-H9194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORT FOR THE GLOBAL FUND TO FIGHT AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS (TB), MALARIA,
AND ITS SIXTH REPLENISHMENT
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 517) supporting the Global Fund to fight AIDS,
tuberculosis (TB), malaria, and its Sixth Replenishment, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 517
Whereas the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis (TB),
and malaria is an effective partnership of governments, the
private sector, civil society, and affected communities to
transform the response to these epidemics;
Whereas since the Global Fund's creation in 2002, and in
close cooperation with the President's Emergency Plan for
AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), more than 32,000,000 lives have been
saved in countries where the Global Fund invests;
Whereas the Global Fund has contributed to extraordinary
improvements in global health, including by helping to reduce
by half the number of AIDS-related deaths since 2005,
contributing to a 37-percent decline in TB deaths from 2000
to 2016, and a 60-percent decline in the number of malaria
deaths since 2000;
Whereas the Global Fund and its partners work to uphold a
steadfast commitment to transparency and accountability,
receiving high marks in multilateral aid reviews and by
independent watchdogs;
Whereas despite progress achieved to date in combating
AIDS, TB, and malaria, significant challenges threaten future
progress, including drug and insecticide resistance, reaching
marginalized and vulnerable populations, and complacency in
the fight against infectious diseases;
Whereas United States leadership has been critical to the
Global Fund's success as its largest donor and through its
oversight role on the Board of the Global Fund;
Whereas the Global Fund amplifies and supports the results
of United States bilateral heath programs, including the
PEPFAR, the President's Malaria Initiative, and the United
States Agency for International Development TB program;
Whereas a statutory cap on United States contributions to
the Global Fund has successfully leveraged increased
contributions from other donors in prior Global Fund
replenishments;
Whereas the United Kingdom and Japan, for example, already
have pledged significant increases to the Global Fund for the
Sixth Replenishment;
Whereas the Global Fund's requirements for cofinancing have
spurred domestic investments, with recipient countries
committing 41 percent more of their own funding to fight
AIDS, TB, and malaria for 2018 to 2020 compared to 2015 to
2017;
Whereas recipient countries are expected to increase their
co-financing by 48 percent, growing to $46,000,000,000 from
2021 to 2023; and
Whereas with these resources secured, the Global Fund
projects it will reduce the number of deaths due to AIDS, TB,
and malaria by nearly 50 percent, avert 234,000,000
infections or disease cases, and save an additional
16,000,000 lives: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) encourages the Global Fund and its partners to continue
their valuable contributions to end the epidemics of AIDS,
TB, and malaria;
(2) affirms previous commitments of the United States to
providing 33 percent of the budget to the Global Fund,
including for the Sixth Global Fund Replenishment held on
October 10, 2019, in Lyon, France, as demonstrated by the
$1,560,000,000 provided by H.R. 2839 in the 116th Congress
(providing FY2020 appropriations for the Department of State,
foreign operations, and related programs), as passed by the
House of Representatives;
(3) urges donor countries to step up the fight and increase
their pledges for the Sixth Global Fund Replenishment and
supports continued diplomatic engagement to improve burden
sharing;
(4) urges Global Fund recipient countries to continue to
make and meet ambitious cofinancing commitments to sustain
progress in ending the epidemics of AIDS, TB, and malaria;
and
(5) encourages United States bilateral aid programs to
continue their collaboration with the Global Fund to maximize
the life-saving impact of global health investments.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Sires) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires).
{time} 1615
General Leave
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H. Res. 517.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, there is no better example of American interests and
values intersecting in our foreign policy than global health issues.
On the one hand, global health challenges are strategic challenges.
Countries and communities with poor access to healthcare are less
productive, less stable, less able to act as strong partners.
Unchecked, pandemics can blow across borders and make their way to our
own shores, threatening the American people, so we have a real interest
in working to tackle global health problems.
At the same time, we, as Americans, want to see people everywhere
lead healthy, happy lives, and access to healthcare allows more people
to pursue greater opportunity.
That is why, over the last two decades, the Global Fund has been such
a remarkable foreign policy initiative. It has helped reduce by half
the number of AIDS-related deaths worldwide since 2005. From 2000 to
2016, it contributed to a 37 percent decline in tuberculosis deaths.
Since the year 2000, the Global Fund has helped reduce the number of
deaths from malaria by 60 percent.
America's contributions to the Global Fund have helped to fund these
vital programs, and our leadership has helped drive billions in
additional investments from other donors and recipient states. In
October, the Global Fund received pledges of more than $14 billion for
the next 3 years from 75 donors. Sixteen million people will benefit
from this lifesaving assistance.
This is work that we should all be proud of. It has helped advance
core American interests around the world. It has shown the character of
our country, our spirit of generosity and compassion.
It is essential that the Global Fund's work continues. That is why I
am proud to support this measure from Foreign Affairs Committee
Chairman Engel and Ranking Member McCaul. This resolution puts the
House on the record reaffirming our support for the Global Fund,
reiterating how important its work is. It says that the funding the
House already approved for next year shall go forward because the
Global Fund's future success depends on American involvement.
The Global Fund has built a tremendous record of success. We need to
keep that record going so that we can continue to help people around
the world withstand life-threatening but preventable diseases.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 517, a
resolution by Chairman Engel and Ranking Member McCaul, supporting the
Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
The Global Fund is a financing partnership of governments, private
donors, and civil societies that have a shared purpose of ending HIV/
AIDS, TB, and malaria. Since its founding in 2002, the Global Fund is
credited with saving millions of lives.
Nor is our contribution to combat these diseases limited to the
Global Fund. As my colleagues know, since its inception in 2002, the
Global Fund has worked with U.S. programs, such as the President's
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, which has radically and
positively changed the course of health outcomes.
[[Page H9193]]
President Bush initiated the PEPFAR program, which has been
transformative in so many countries, particularly in sub-Saharan
Africa. According to PEPFAR's latest data, over 18 million lives have
been saved due to PEPFAR's intervention.
I would note the success in blocking mother-to-child transmission of
AIDS during pregnancy. At the end of September 2019, Mr. Speaker, over
2.6 million babies born of HIV-infected mothers have been born HIV
free.
In addition to President Bush's extraordinary leadership, we should
also note the lasting reforms and contributions of Mark Dybul. Mark
served as the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator from 2006 to 2009,
implementing PEPFAR during that critical period. He then went on to
serve as the executive director of the Global Fund, instituting reforms
such that we stand here today recognizing the critical role that the
Global Fund is playing in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Among other things, Mark insisted on the key role that faith-based
organizations play in the fight against the spread of HIV. Africa, in
particular, is a faith-based continent, and to neglect the role of the
churches, as some had advocated at the time, would be to neglect the
single most important grassroots institution in the lives of the people
on the continent.
Mark also spearheaded risk avoidance strategies, including keeping
adolescent girls in school, which has proven critical in delaying the
onset of sexual activity and reducing the transmission of AIDS.
Mr. Speaker, the American people allocate $6 billion a year to the
President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, which Congress
extended for another 5 years via legislation that I authored with
Democrat Barbara Lee and that President Trump signed into law on
December 11 last year.
Along with funds we dedicate in USAID's global health account to
combat AIDS, TB, and malaria, our contributions to PEPFAR and the
Global Fund make our global leadership unparalleled in the entire
world. And it is not just simply providing funds. It is the leadership
and commitment to excellence demonstrated by people such as our Global
AIDS Coordinator today, Deborah Birx, and her team, which makes our
commitment so impactful.
Yet, to sustain its progress, the Global Fund needs at least $14
billion over the next 3 years. To help the fund reach its goal, the
U.S. commitment would need to be $1.56 billion. I am happy to say, 2
months ago, the Global Fund held its replenishment meeting, where
pledge amounts for the next 3 years were submitted. The United States
Government pledged $1.56 billion, with other donors coming to the table
to help the Global Fund raise the critically needed money.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Lee).
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding and for his leadership, and also Chairman Engel as well as Mr.
Smith for their commitment on this and so many issues.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 517. This important
resolution reaffirms our commitment to ending AIDS and calls on our
government to maintain its historic contribution to the Global Fund.
As one of the original authors of the Global Fund and as co-chair of
the HIV/AIDS Caucus, I am pleased that we are moving this bill forward.
This legislation has one of the greatest impacts on lives of people
around the world. Since 2002, the Global Fund and PEPFAR have saved 32
million lives. That is 32 million lives. That is unbelievable.
What is more, the Global Fund has cut the number of AIDS-related
deaths in half since 2005 and helped to reduce TB deaths by 37 percent.
Mr. Speaker, our country's strong support of this program, which has
been bipartisan, coupled with new scientific advances, has helped us
turn the tide on achieving an AIDS-free generation.
Just this year, during the Global Fund's Sixth Replenishment
Conference, the United States maintained its strong commitment to $1.56
billion a year. That is a 33 percent contribution to this important
fund.
I am glad that we are here today to reaffirm our commitment to the
Global Fund and its sixth replenishment fund. The bipartisan and
multilateral commitment to this program cannot be overstated.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to close by lifting up the legacy of my
predecessor, a great statesman, Congressman Ron Dellums, who inspired
my legislation to establish the framework for the Global Fund.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my partner, Republican Congressman Jim Leach,
for his spirit of bipartisanship in helping me get this bill through
the Banking and Financial Services Committee; former President Bill
Clinton, who signed the Global AIDS and TB Relief Act of 2000 to
establish the Global Fund; and, of course, the late Kofi Annan, who
served as Secretary General of the United Nations and who boldly took
this idea to the U.N. and led the global effort for support.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this resolution,
vote ``yes'' to saving lives.
Mr. Speaker, again, I thank everyone for being here today. Sunday, of
course, was World AIDS Day, and we led a delegation to the United
Nations. We had high-level meetings, and everyone applauded the United
States for its leadership.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul), the ranking member of
the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlemen from New Jersey, Mr.
Smith and Mr. Sires, and Mr. Engel for their hard work on this
important resolution that I support, the Global Fund to fight AIDS,
tuberculosis, and malaria.
Over the last 17 years, 32 million lives have been saved as a result
of the Global Fund partnering with U.S. programs to change the course
of health outcomes. Yet, there is much more work to do. The Global Fund
set a fundraising goal of $14 billion over the next 3 years in order to
save an additional 16 million lives.
Since 2003, the United States has been a longtime and consistent
partner of the Global Fund and the largest bilateral donor. The U.S.
has historically provided $1 for every $2 raised by other donors.
Our contributions have been an effective tool to leverage other
donors and secure greater commitments. However, uncertainty over final
spending bills has complicated the U.S. contribution. That is why my
friend Chairman Engel and I introduced this resolution, to reaffirm our
commitment to the Global Fund and assure our donors of this U.S.
commitment.
In October, pledge amounts for the next 3 years were submitted, and I
am pleased that this resolution played a role in affirming the U.S.
commitment to the Global Fund and helped spur more donors to step up to
the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important
resolution, and I also hope that we can consider a final appropriation
bill soon that provides the necessary $1.56 billion over the next 3
years to the Global Fund.
Rarely, Mr. Speaker, in this Chamber do we pass laws and resolutions
that have such a direct impact on the lives of others. That is the true
calling, the true mission, that I think we share on both sides of the
aisle, to make this world a better place. This resolution will
certainly do that.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume
for the purpose of closing.
Mr. Speaker, a lot of factors have come together over nearly 20 years
to account for the success of the Global Fund, but in my view, the most
crucial piece of the puzzle has been American leadership.
I worry about what has happened to American leadership in recent
years. I worry when an American administration sends budget after
budget to Capitol Hill asking us to slash our investments in diplomacy
and development by a third. I worry about the message that sends to the
rest of the world,
[[Page H9194]]
about the lives which could be lost if we reduce our commitment to the
fund, and about what it could mean for all the success that efforts
like the Global Fund have achieved.
Mr. Speaker, it is important today that the House send this message,
that we express our clear support for the Global Fund and our support
for bringing American leadership to bear on global health challenges.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this measure, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of H.
Res. 517, which I have proudly cosponsored. This resolution reaffirms
our nation's commitment to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Amid
the worldwide progress that has been made to counter these diseases, it
is critical that we maintain our financial contribution to the Global
Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
As the first registered nurse elected to Congress, I wholeheartedly
support the funding of efforts to prevent and eradicate infectious
diseases. The Global Fund is the world's largest supporter of
prevention, treatment, and care programs for AIDS, tuberculosis, and
malaria. With these investments, it has decreased the number of AIDS-
related deaths by half since 2005, contributed to a 37 percent decline
in tuberculosis deaths from 2000 to 2016, and facilitated a 60 percent
decline in the number of malaria deaths since 2000.
On behalf of families and young children across the world, it is our
duty to advance the resources needed to address health in all our
communities. We must maintain our longstanding commitment to the Global
Fund. This is a critical commitment to saving lives, averting new
cases, and increasing the ability of people around the world to
withstand life-threatening but preventable diseases.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Malinowski). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires) that the
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 517, as
amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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