Loebsack Votes for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Reauthorization Bill

Friends,

This afternoon the House voted overwhelmingly to approve the TomLantos and Henry J. Hyde Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS,Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 (H.R.5501). Thebill was passed by a margin of 308 to 116 (Loebsack voted for the bill).

Authorizing $50 billion over five years for these three diseases ofpoverty, the bill is a huge step forward for our global health work --particularly for TB.The House bill incorporates nearly all of the Stop TB Now Act (H.R.1567), prioritizing the strategy outlined in the Global Plan to StopTB and providing $4 billion over five years for global TB control.The Lantos-Hyde Act also strengthens coordination between HIV and TBprograms, authorizes assistance for TB vaccine research, andauthorizes support for the Global Fund at an initial $2 billion peryear.The bill has the support of the White House, and companion legislationis expected to be considered by the full Senate in the coming months(S.2731).

The strong TB provisions in the House bill are the culmination ofyears of effort, including the support of RESULTS volunteers for theStop TB Now Act. Thanks for all of your efforts, and keep up the goodwork.
Thanks,
John

John Paul Fawcett
Legislative Director
RESULTS