On July 16, the U.S. Senate voted to pass the President's Emergency Program for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This bill authorized nearly $50 billion in funding to combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB around the global, and represented a significant increase over what the President sought in funding. In addition, this bill would repeal a 1987 law which banned anyone who was infected with HIV from traveling to the United States, or from become a legal resident or immigrant. This made the U.S. one of only 12 nations in the world with such draconian travel bans. The provision to lift the travel restriction was nearly stripped out by Rep. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), but it was saved with the help of Michigan Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I was pleased to learn that you recently supported the passage of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief on July 16, 2008.

Your vote helped put nearly $50 million into the global battle against HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB, and has rescinded a draconian law passed in 1987 which prevented persons infected with HIV from traveling to the U.S.

Thank you for being a leader on this issue. It's important for me, as a voter, to know that my U.S. Senators are willing to stand behind strong public policy which leads the world in sending a message that HIV/AIDS is everyone's issue. I am also proud that my U.S. Senators have the vision to repeal a law which was created in an era of panic and hysteria, and replaced it with sound scientific -based answers to immigration and tourist health questions.

Thank you for voting to support the reauthorization of the PEPFAR.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
July 17, 2008