Congress approves global AIDS plan

The Senate votes 80-16 to renew the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in July, following support from the House earlier this year. Members agree to expand PEPFAR funds to $50 billion for the 2009-2013 fiscal years to support AIDS research and treatment efforts - a significant increase from its current $15 billion cap. One provision agreed to in the Senate would withhold 20 percent of the appropriations for the Global AIDS Fund until the State Department confirms access to financial data to monitor the use of such monies. The bill would also allocate money to fight tuberculosis and malaria (1"The Pink Sheet," April 7, 2008, In Brief)