The first big step today we’ve already taken. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, by an overwhelming 18-3 vote this morning, approved an bold expansion of the US commitment to fighting AIDS, TB and malaria through a program called PEPFAR.

In Washington’s marble halls, PEPFAR is a funny name for a part of America’s foreign policy. But for people around the world, PEPFAR is a lifeline to medicines and doctors’ care. Already, through PEPFAR, America has helped provide 1.4 million HIV/AIDS patients with antiretroviral drugs. The new legislation would build on that success. It would provide for medical treatments of 3 million people with AIDS, help to prevent 12 million new infections, and care for 12 million people impacted by the disease, including 5 million orphans. Importantly, the legislation would train 140,000 new health care workers while transforming PEPFAR from an emergency response to a sustainable response program.

The Senate legislation was written by Democratic Senator Joe Biden and Republican Senator Richard Lugar. They lead the Foreign Relations Committee. Later today, they’ll combine forces to press the Senate to approve a budget amendment to restore critical funds for America’s lifesaving work around the globe. We’ll have more as the debate moves forward. Keep the calls headed to your senators and urge them to support the Biden-Lugar amendment.

The next step for PEPFAR is for the full House and the full Senate to vote on their versions of the bill. Stay tuned for updates as the legislation moves ahead.