Senators voted to preserve funding for PEPFAR, preventing a proposed $400 million cut tied to Trump's $9 billion spending reduction plan. Several Republican senators objected to the potential cut, emphasizing the importance of the HIV/AIDS initiative that has saved millions globally. Although PEPFAR funding was safeguarded, the spending measure still includes cuts to unused USAID and public broadcasting funds. Trump administration officials stated they support the exemption for PEPFAR, while GOP members had previously raised concerns about abortion-related spending under the program, which were disputed by former PEPFAR officials.
"There is a substitute amendment that does not include the PEPFAR rescission and we're fine with that," Vought said, adding the vast majority of alleged savings remained.
Several Republican senators, including Sen. Susan Collins (R-Me.), heavily objected to gutting the historic HIV/AIDS initiative.
Vought and a small constituency of Republicans previously argued for cutting PEPFAR funds citing abortion-related concerns.
Sparing PEPFAR came after several Republican senators opposed the proposed cut woven into Trump's $9 billion spending reductions package.
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