November 30, 2007

Washington, D.C. -- In recognition of World AIDS Day tomorrow, Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today said Congress is committed to seeing the successful U.S. global HIV/AIDS program continue to produce results, and will take steps early next year to boost it significantly.

"The best way to mark World AIDS Day is to rededicate ourselves to reauthorizing the programs that will battle back the pandemic," Lantos said. "I intend to increase funding for these endeavors dramatically over current levels, and today I am pleased to announce that this committee will consider the reauthorization bill as our first major order of business in 2008."

Together with the late Henry J. Hyde (R-IL), Lantos was the co-author of the 2003 legislation funding the five-year U.S. global HIV-AIDS program.