Rep. Barbara Lee Announces Rep. Robin Kelly will Lead Fight to Reauthorize PEPFAR Next Congress

Washington – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12), co-chair and co-founder of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, today reintroduced legislation to extend the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR. Rep. Lee also announced that Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) will lead the fight to reauthorize PEPFAR in the 119^th Congress.

“I am honored to carry Congresswoman Lee’s legacy into next Congress and save lives from HIV and AIDS. She laid out a roadmap in PEPFAR to combat this epidemic in countries worldwide, and we must continue to fund this critical program,” said Rep. Kelly. “Congresswoman Lee, a mentor to many legislators, has proven that great progress can be achieved in the fight to reduce the prevalence of HIV and AIDS. As the US further engages in the global effort against HIV and AIDS, I look forward to working with advocates to reauthorize one of the world's most successful health programs."

“Under the leadership of Representative Robin Kelly, I am confident that we will achieve the robust federal funding and the substantial investments that we need to end the HIV and AIDS pandemic for everyone, everywhere,” said Rep. Lee.

Lee worked with President George W. Bush and a broad community of activists, community leaders and clinicians to establish PEPFAR in 2003. Since its inception, PEPFAR has been critical in the fight against HIV and AIDS and has been credited with saving over 25 million lives.

“Thanks to PEPFAR, millions of lives have been saved through HIV/AIDS treatment, care, and education. But Congress must recommit to this fight,” said Rep. Lee. “For over 20 years, PEPFAR has been a testament to the bipartisan cooperation on U.S. leadership in global public health.  We are so close to ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic; we can’t stop until we defeat AIDS for everyone, everywhere. As many around the world still do not have the resources and care they need, Congress must do the important work to protect and reauthorize PEPFAR.  I am optimistic that the 119^th Congress will again find the bipartisan will to extend PEPFAR’s lifesaving work. We have an obligation not only to millions of AIDS patients across the globe, but to the activists, advocates, clinicians, and implementers who have worked tirelessly to create and sustain this program and keep it fully funded.”

“PEPFAR represents the very best of American leadership,” said Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “As a result of over 20 years of bipartisan commitment, 25 million lives have been saved, and an AIDS-free generation is within our reach. Reauthorizing PEPFAR for another five years demonstrates the American people’s generosity and our commitment to global health and ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.”

This clean reauthorization would extend the PEPFAR program for five years. Since its inception in 2003, PEPFAR has invested over $110 billion in countries all over the world to prevent infections, strengthen global health security, combat stigma, and achieve an AIDS-free generation by 2030.

Read the PEPFAR Extension Act of 2024 here.