Republican in the US Senate has stated that they will leave the US -backed HIV/AIDS program Pepfar by cuts, amidst a major effort to reduce government expenditure.
The senators stated that they would abolish the plan to cut the President’s emergency plan to cut $ 400m (£ 300m) for the AIDS relief program, allowing the total proposed cuts at $ 9BN.
The proposal was made in a rescue package in a Senate amendment – meaning a bill that allows MPs to cancel the previous fund approved by the Congress. Planned cancellations include international assistance and money for public broadcasting.
If the Pepfar amendment is approved, the bill will return to the Representative Assembly for another vote before Friday’s deadline.
Many senators from both sides expressed concern with the cut to Peppar, which was launched under President George W. Bush and credited to save millions of people worldwide.
The Republican-controlled Senate can only tolerate some defectors, which vote in protest against all Democrats. Republican Senate Majority Leader John Theun said that Pepfar was “very interested” in retaining funding.
Susan Colins, a Republican Senator of Main, told reporters on Tuesday after the White House lunch that she was “very happy” that the cut would be removed.
Prior to the amendment, the Colins were vocal against the bill. He has not said whether changes are enough to secure his support.
Russell Watt, director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), told reporters that the White House was on the board with the Senate amendment, which means that President Donald Trump will be ready to sign it in its present form.
In his second presidential post, Trump has tried to reduce government expenditure. Most of the deduction in the rescue bill was already laid for the US government’s main humanitarian aid body, USAID, recently announced its formal closure under Trump.
Trump’s footsteps caused a huge decrease in HIV/AIDS clinics in South Africa and other countries, leading to lack of life -saving drugs and care.
Other deductions in the rescue bill are aimed at funding for public broadcasters NPR and PBS.