2008: PEPFAR Reauthorization
This year, Congress is acting to revise and reauthorize the PEPFAR program. On April 2, 2008, the House authorized $50 billion dollars to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria by a vote of 308 to 116. The Senate is expected to vote on its version of the bill this spring.

Lawmakers should eliminate the prostitution pledge that requires groups fighting HIV/AIDS overseas to pledge their opposition to prostitution and sex trafficking before receiving U.S. money.

The 2003 PEPFAR legislation created barriers to sound health programming and HIV prevention work with sex workers, and those barriers should be removed. These men and women are often disenfranchised and without social and health support systems—and U.S. law has put additional barriers in place rather than paving the way for undertaking more health care interventions with them.  Because of the sexual interactions between sex workers and their range of clients, and because this community is deeply affected by HIV/AIDS, now is the time to remove these barriers and promote best practice in working with these communities. 

Restrictions in U.S. law have led to diminished outreach capacity in some and the closure of other programs previously supported by the U.S. government because of their effective work.  This has not only created gaps, but has increased discrimination and violence against sex workers due to the environment of blame which our policies are reinforcing.  Additionally, issues about the constitutionality of this provision have led to two ongoing court cases in the United States.