This June, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted to cut $300 million from global AIDS programs. This cut comes on top of an additional $600 million in cuts since 2011. The result of the proposed budget cut would be the lowest rate of enrollment in antiretroviral treatment since PEPFAR’s inception – almost flat-lining after years of steep improvements.

Full funding of PEPFAR is absolutely essential in ensuring that millions of people living with HIV/AIDS are receiving high quality antiretroviral therapy. The Senate’s proposal to flat fund PEPFAR threatens to leave millions of people with HIV relegated to waitlists instead of starting life-saving treatment.

As Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Mikulski has the power to ensure the reversal of these cuts. She must not allow a lack of political will to result in the devastation of global AIDS programs.