GOP's Anti-Abortion Stance Jeopardizes Lifesaving Global HIV/AIDS Program

Republican lawmakers in the United States are threatening the stability of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a program that has saved 25 million lives in 55 countries. The threat stems from opposition to abortion, with some Republicans accusing the Biden administration of using PEPFAR to promote its "domestic radical social agenda overseas." The proposal to renew PEPFAR includes a ban on funding for NGOs that provide or promote abortion services, which has sparked bipartisan disagreement. Supporters argue that existing U.S. law already prohibits the use of PEPFAR funding for abortion services, and any instability in funding could have dangerous implications for global health, potentially leading to a resurgence of HIV/AIDS and the loss of millions of lives.