Washington—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, today applauded House passage of a measure strongly supporting the Global Fund, an American-led health initiative to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria around the world.

“The Global Fund has made an astounding impact in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria,” said Chairman Engel. “Today’s vote makes it clear that the Fund has broad bipartisan support in Congress. Global health initiatives like this save lives every day. We must continue to invest in these critical foreign policy programs.”

Since helping establish the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria in 2002, the United States has worked with other donors around the world to provide lifesaving care for millions of people. Over the years, America’s contributions to the Global Fund have leveraged billions in additional investments leading to 32 million lives saved.

The Global Fund has reduced by half the number of AIDS-related deaths worldwide since 2005, contributed to a 37 percent decline in TB deaths from 2000 to 2016, and facilitated a 60 percent decline in the number of malaria deaths since 2000.

The Administration has proposed cutting the United States’ traditional contribution to the Global Fund which would set back the life-saving efforts of the program.

House Resolution 517:

• Recognizes the critical gains the Global Fund has made in fighting AIDS, malaria and TB around the world;

• Supports ongoing efforts by other donors to increase their financial commitments, and encourages continued buy-in; and

• Affirms the United States’ historical commitment to providing 33 percent of funding to the Global Fund.

Full text of the resolution can be found here.

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