Committee Passes Bipartisan Durbin Amendment for Global Fund to Fight Aids

COMMITTEE PASSES BIPARTISAN DURBIN AMENDMENT FOR GLOBAL FUND TO FIGHT AIDS
Additional Funds Will Continue Lifesaving Treatment for Thousands Worldwide

Thursday, September 16, 2004

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the passage of an amendment to boost the U.S. contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Durbin offered his amendment during committee consideration of the FY 2005 Senate Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, which was approved by a voice vote. Senator Mike Dewine (R-OH) cosponsored the measure.

"It is critical that the United States continue to be a leader in the global war against HIV/AIDS," said Durbin. "This amendment ensures that we commit our fair share to battle this worldwide problem that will challenge us for decades to come. As the world's wealthiest and most powerful nation, our actions encourage other donor nations to step up and devote additional resources to fight the global AIDS pandemic."

Durbin said his amendment will provide an additional $150 million contribution to the Global Fund, bringing the total amount in the Foreign Operations appropriations bill to $400 million. This increase matches the Global Fund appropriation in the House bill. Of these funds, $75 million will go toward HIV/AIDS drug procurement and treatment and $75 million will be for malaria control programs. The Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill for FY 2005 is expected to include an additional $150 million for the Global Fund.

"Last year, the U.S. contribution to the Global Fund was nearly $550 million," Durbin said. "If we had not passed this amendment, this year's contribution would have been half as much as what we secured last year - sending a damaging and negative message to the world community. This funding increase will allow thousands to continue or begin antiretroviral therapy in the coming year - treatments that have been proven to improve and extend the lives of those struggling with HIV/AIDS."

The Global Fund is an independent foundation established in 2001 and operated as a public-private partnership to attract and disburse resources to prevent and treat AIDS, TB and malaria. In just three years, the Global Fund has raised, granted and distributed historic levels of funding, providing hope to millions who struggle with these deadly, yet preventable, diseases. By the end of this year, nearly $1 billion will have been distributed by the Global Fund to programs in 121 countries.