Action Alert: Call on Congress to Fully fund Global AIDS Programs!

Right now, the U.S. Congress is deciding how much funding to appropriate to global AIDS programs including PEPFAR and the Global Fund. We need your help TODAY and in the coming weeks to pressure your Legislators to put their money where there mouths are, and fully fund global AIDS programs.

The House committee released their draft bill last week, and allocated the flat-lined amounts from last year - $500 million less then what is needed. The Senate committee will be releasing their initial plan for the federal budget on Tuesday, June 28th, and we need them to know that a flat funding proposal is not acceptable.

SGAC is organizing a nation-wide call-in to key Senate offices TODAY, and for the rest of the week! Here's what you can do:

1) Make a phone call to key Senators

Today, we will show our power by calling the leadership of the state and Foreign Operations appropriations sub-committee, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), to ensure full-funding for PEPFAR. The call only takes 2 minutes, but has impact in the Senators office. You can reach their offices at:

Senator Leahy: 202-224-4242
Senator Graham: 202-224-5972

And you can use this call-in script when you make the call:

“Hello, good (morning/afternoon/evening). My name is ______________ and I’m a global health advocate who is committed to seeing the end of AIDS. I am calling because I'm deeply concerned about the flat-funding for PEPFAR in the budget for FY2017. We know we can end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 but we need an additional $500 million for PEPFAR to achieve that. I’m calling to ask that Senator_____(Leahy/Graham)____ ensures there is full funding for PEPFAR in this year's budget. I will be very disappointed if the budget for HIV/AIDS is flat-funded yet again and the Senator didn’t do everything in his power to end AIDS. Will you relay that message for me? Thank you, and have a great day.”

After you call, fill out this form to let us know how the office responded!

2) Make a BONUS phone call!
Do you live in a state with any of these Senators? They are on the appropriations sub-committee, and you should call them too!

Mitch McConnell	KY	202-224-2541	Barbara Mikulski	MD	202-224-4654
Mark Kirk	IL	202-224-2854	Richard Durbin	IL	202-224-2152
Roy Blunt	MS	202-224-5721	Jeanne Shaheen	NH	202-224-2841
John Boozman	AR	202-224-4843	Chris Coons	DE	202-224-5042
Jerry Moran	KS	202-224-6521	Jeff Merkley	OR	202-224-3753
James Lankford	OK	202-224-5724	Christopher Murphy	CT	202-224-4041
Steve Daines	MT	202-224-2651

Here's a call-in script:

"Hello, good (morning/afternoon/evening). My name is ______________ and I am an AIDS advocate. I am calling because I'm deeply concerned about the flat-funding for global AIDS programs that the House has recommended in the budget for FY2017. This must not be repeated on the Senate side. We know we can end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 but we need an additional $500 million for PEPFAR to achieve that. I’m calling Sen. ___________ because as a constituent, I will be very disappointed if the budget for HIV/AIDS is flat-funded yet again. Can Sen. ________ place a call to Senators Patrick Leahy and Lindsey Graham to ask they support a $500 million increase for PEPFAR in FY 2017?............Thank you, have a nice day.”

3) Meet with your legislator:

We are putting together teams for regular district meetings, with a focus on Senate appropriators. If you live in Illinois, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Delaware, South Carolina, or Oregon, and can join the group, please email emily@studentglobalaidscampaign.org

4) Share this call-to action with your friends - post it to facebook and twitter.

Want more information on global AIDS funding from the US? Check out this infographic:

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