Lack of funding threatens future of HIV drug therapy in developing world – New concerns about the rising costs of antiretroviral therapy dominated last week’s International AIDS Conference, where estimates indicate that there is barely enough money to pay for people currently on treatment, let alone enough to start treatment for about 5 million more. (David Brown, Washington Post)

New HIV/AIDS bill makes saving lives a priority, says Senator – Senator Tom Coburn (OK) highlights new legislation introduced last week – The HIV/AIDS Save Lives First Act of 2010 – which renews our commitment to providing life-saving treatment to millions of AIDS patients. “In these difficult economic times every dollar not spent saving a life or preventing a new infection is a dollar misspent,” said Sen. Coburn. (The Huffington Post)

Women awarded agriculture grants to boost food security – Sixty female agricultural scientists from 10 African countries received fellowships this week from African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), to help strengthen their research and leadership skills, and enhance their contributions to poverty alleviation and food security across the continent. (The Mail, Ghana)

U.N. assembly asserts water rights, some disagree – The U.N. General Assembly asserted a global right to water and sanitation in a resolution on Wednesday, but more than 40 countries abstained, saying no such right yet existed in international law. The clause called on states and international organizations to “scale up efforts” to provide drinking water and sanitation for all. (Patrick Worsnip, Reuters)

Putting women at forefront of AIDS fight is crucial – Foreign Policy fellow, Isobel Coleman, maintains that the increasing feminization of AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa requires that preventative measures address the realities that drive unsafe behaviors, mainly the low status of women. (The Huffington Post)

We needed “Unanimous Consent” (or “UC”) to keep PEPFAR reauthorization moving in a timely and bi-partisan fashion. This means that every member on the Senate floor had to agree to the proposed legislation.

Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid asked for UC for PEPFAR twice this morning: Once with no amendments, and a second time with 4 amendments (2 from the Republican side and 2 from the Democratic side.) Both attempts failed to pass.

This means we now have no choice but to look to push for PEPFAR reauthorization after Congress’s scheduled recess.

This legislation is critical to millions of lives, and this means that President Bush will have a more difficult time pressuring other wealthy countries to follow the U.S.’s leadership and give more to global AIDS when he attends the July G8 summit in Japan.

Earlier in the week we were hopeful after Sen. Reid set a deadline for the completion of negotiations, with the intent of calling for UC and a vote on this important legislation. We do know that the major differences with Sen. Coburn have been addressed and that he has lifted his hold on the bill. Unfortunately not all the senators have come to an agreement yet – 3 in particular have maintained their holds and a 4th objected on the floor.

We are hopeful that negotiations will continue through the July 4th recess and that the momentum we built through the last few weeks will continue, culminating in a vote soon after the Senate comes back into session.

We will keep you updated with more analysis and plans. As ONE members, we have to be prepared to take action the next chance we get. The people who need this funding don’t have a voice in America’s legislative system – but we do.

-Virginia Simmons