Support USAID & PEPFAR—Global Health Depends on It

I am writing to express my deep concern over recent actions to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and suspend the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). These programs constitute less than 1% of the federal budget yet have an outsized impact on global health and U.S. leadership. Eliminating them would not only devastate millions worldwide but also undermine our nation’s strategic interests. PEPFAR alone has saved over 25 million lives, providing essential HIV prevention and treatment services across 54 countries. In South Africa, where more than 8 million people live with HIV, PEPFAR supports life-saving antiretroviral treatment for 5.5 million individuals daily. The abrupt suspension of this aid has led to clinic closures and disrupted treatment, jeopardizing countless lives and threatening to reverse decades of progress in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Beyond HIV/AIDS, USAID addresses critical global health challenges, including maternal and child health, infectious diseases, and emergency humanitarian assistance. Its efforts have been instrumental in preventing the spread of diseases that could otherwise reach our shores, thereby safeguarding American citizens. Moreover, the infrastructure and research advancements facilitated by USAID have bolstered our domestic health capabilities, enhancing our ability to respond to health crises at home. Dismantling USAID and halting PEPFAR not only abandon our moral responsibility but also cede global leadership to adversarial nations eager to fill the void. Such actions compromise national security, diminish diplomatic influence, and erode the goodwill that has been painstakingly built over decades. I urge you to take immediate action to restore funding to USAID and PEPFAR, ensuring the continuation of their vital programs. Preserving these initiatives is essential for global health, national security, and maintaining the United States’ standing as a compassionate and responsible leader on the world stage.