III 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 139 

Recognizing the critical role that PEPFAR has played in the global fight 

against HIV/AIDS. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MARCH 30, 2023 

Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. COONS, and Mr. VAN HOLLEN) 

submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 

on Foreign Relations 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the critical role that PEPFAR has played in 

the global fight against HIV/AIDS. 

Whereas the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief 

(referred to in this preamble as ‘‘PEPFAR’’), launched 

20 years ago by President George W. Bush and supported by every President and Congress since, has proven 

to be one of the most successful health programs in modern history; 

Whereas private organizations, including the ONE Campaign 

and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, like many others, 

have been indispensable partners in supporting PEPFAR 

and advancing its causes; 

Whereas PEPFAR has been a critical tool in the global fight 

against HIV/AIDS, providing vital resources and support 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
2 

•SRES 139 IS 

to countries most affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic 

and saving more than 25,000,000 lives; 

Whereas PEPFAR has supported HIV/AIDS prevention, 

treatment, and care programs in more than 50 countries 

and currently provides life-saving antiretroviral treatment 

to 20,100,000 individuals; 

Whereas, since 2010, PEPFAR has achieved a 50 percent reduction in new HIV cases in young women between 15 

and 24 years of age and a 65 percent reduction in new 

HIV cases in young men between 15 and 24 years of age; 

Whereas PEPFAR has contributed to progress in reducing 

mother-to-child transmission of HIV, with more than 

5,500,000 babies born HIV-free to mothers who have 

HIV and who received antiretroviral medication through 

PEPFAR-supported programs; 

Whereas, as of September 30, 2022, 1,500,000 individuals 

are receiving antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (referred to in this clause as ‘‘PrEP’’) to prevent HIV infection, and access to PrEP programs must be expanded; 

Whereas PEPFAR has supported the expansion of HIV/ 

AIDS services for children, adolescents, and young people, including for the more than 1,500,000 children receiving HIV treatment through PEPFAR-supported programs; 

Whereas PEPFAR has dramatically reduced the stigma and 

discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS; 

Whereas PEPFAR prioritizes reaching adolescent girls and 

young women, who are disproportionately affected by 

HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, through the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and 

Safe program (commonly known as ‘‘DREAMS’’), which 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
3 

•SRES 139 IS 

has assisted more than 1,600,000 adolescent girls and 

young women with HIV prevention services; 

Whereas PEPFAR has been a key partner in the global 

COVID–19 response, supporting the delivery of essential 

HIV/AIDS services and strengthening health systems to 

ensure continuity of care, including by delivering more 

than 60,000,000 doses of the COVID–19 vaccine in subSaharan Africa; and 

Whereas challenges in combating HIV/AIDS, particularly in 

sub-Saharan Africa, remain and will not be overcome 

without continued PEPFAR support: Now, therefore, be 

it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the critical role that the Presi3 dent’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (referred to 

4 in this resolution as ‘‘PEPFAR’’) has played in the 

5 global fight against HIV/AIDS; 

6 (2) applauds the successes and accomplish7 ments of PEPFAR to date; and 

8 (3) urges continued funding and support for 

9 PEPFAR to help achieve the goal of ending HIV/ 

10 AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. 

Æ 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS