Update: Cloture Vote on PEPFAR tomorrow- possibly today
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Great News. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid filed for cloture for PEPFAR yesterday- meaning that the bill to provide $50 billion in AIDS, malaria and TB funding will finally be moving again.
Senator Reid asked for unanimous consent to begin debating the PEPFAR bill yesterday afternoon but a couple of Republican Senators continued to object (despite the assurance that amendments would be allowed.) Moments later, as you can watch in this video, he filed for cloture.
Rewind to your high school civics class or your favorite senate.gov glossary page:
Cloture is the only way that the Senate can place a time limit on consideration of a bill- and in doing so, overcome a potential filibuster. The Senate must allow for 30 additional hours for discussion before the vote, and then the bill must receive 60 votes in order to pass.”
This sets the vote for Friday, although we could potentially see the vote happen today. A successful cloture vote will allow the Senate to begin debating the bill.
Millions of lives around the world rely on this funding is on the line- so we’ll be watching and keeping you posted here on the ONE Blog with updates.
-Virginia Simmons
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July 10, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I just called both of my senators (I have their Washington numbers on speed dial) and encouraged them to vote for Cloture on this matter. It is really too late for email and I wanted them to hear a human voice. One of them was involved in the “hold” that was put on it. My call to him was very “encouraging.” The other senator is a co-sponsor of PEPFAR so I asked him to “encourage” the other one to see the need to get this measure moving.
July 10, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Great messages! When you call, it’s also a good idea to ask them to oppose any amendments that would lower the amount of aid the bill would authorize and to vote against any attempt to increase the presence of “abstinence only” prevention. This is hardly the place for offshore drilling amendments, either, in my opinion. That possibility was cited in the article linked above.
July 10, 2008 at 7:05 pm
And also ask them to not oppose the Kerry/Smith HIV travel-immigration ban repel amendment. That is not the sticking point for most who are holding the bill though, but this outdated restriction needs to go.
July 10, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Its great to see this is picking up ground it is some much needed funding for this global issue. I’m sure it will soon get the votes needed to move forward.
July 10, 2008 at 10:08 pm
For the sake of the MILLIONS of People who are alive because of PEPFAR and for the sake of the MILLIONS more whose lives will be saved through PEPFAR in the future, let’s work for a SUCCESSFUL vote and closure on PEPFAR’s re-authorization tomorrow.
There are far too many people around the world who are worried for their futures if PEPFAR is not re-authorized. Let’s make sure that does not happen.~
ALWAYS ONE in the Spirit, debbie
http://www.mpwn-uganda.org
July 10, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Your Gen.X writers should be taught that it is very alienating to use acronyms that some peope may not recognize. “PEPFAR” is just such an acronym. It makes many people feel like “outsiders” because you don’t tell at least once (in parentheses) what it stands for. Let’s write to make everyone feel like an “insider.”
July 11, 2008 at 7:56 am
PEPFAR is the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
July 11, 2008 at 12:38 pm
I can’t see the video. Can you tell me what senators are holding it up?
July 11, 2008 at 2:03 pm
It’s the same here. I’m unable to see the video. A brief overview would be nice if someone could.
July 11, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Would petitioning the GOP senators directly help to push this through? Who are they? This should be a no-brainer….amazing how these bills can get held up for partisan reasons……
A. Yinger
July 11, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Senators who are blocking consideration of the PEPFAR bill include: DeMint (R-SC), Kyl (R-AZ), Vitter (R-LO), Chambliss (R-GA), Sessions (R-AL), Burr (R-NC) and Bunning (R-KY)
July 11, 2008 at 6:50 pm
As far as the video is concerned you’re not missing much. It’s just procedural babble.
July 11, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Hi John!
That’s why I wrote: “meaning that the bill to provide $50 billion in AIDS, malaria and TB funding will finally be moving again.”
I thought that was the best and most succinct way I could describe exactly what the bill means and what this action means.
For those not able to see the video- can you tell me which internet browser you’re using? (Mozilla Firefox?, Safari?, Internet Explorer?)
July 11, 2008 at 7:51 pm
I would like to know if a vote was taken today on PEPFAR or not.
If it was, what was the result?
If a vote wasn’t taken, do we know when it will be taken?
I hope that someone will answer my question because I’ve been concerned about this vote all day.
Thanks for any info on PEPFAR’s status before Congress.
ALWAYS FOREVER, ONE – debbie
http://www.mpwn-uganda.org
July 11, 2008 at 11:41 pm
I’m inspired by the previous respondents – keep up the good work! This cause is worth our effort.
July 12, 2008 at 2:56 am
I am from Bangladesh.
I personally think that if we will work like that than we must be create a world where no one will suffer from poverty, HIV/AIDS, Sanitation Problem and also there have no any lake of childrens education.
As a one member i really proud for being a part of changing the world.
July 14, 2008 at 9:55 am
How can i represent you guys in Venezuela ? We really need someone like you people !!!
July 14, 2008 at 11:06 am
yes- there was a vote to “invoke cloture” and it passed 63-3. This just means that the bill keeps moving forward, but not that the bill is “passed” yet. We expect debate today.
July 15, 2008 at 1:30 pm
I am very new at all of this, and tired of not being a part of great movements that will impact so many lives. Any advice as to how I can stay up on what is happening with this bill?
July 15, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Sorry for not repliying earlier, but I am currently using internet explorer(IE) and have tried on two different computers now. For some reason IE just doesnt like the movie much.