This is the concluding paragraph of the letter.

“America has, with bipartisan support from Congress, made tangible gains in saving lives in many impoverished countries and demonstrated our compassion to the world. This leadership must continue. As such, we urge you to support funding for global AIDS programs, including U.S. bilateral programs and the Global Fund, consistent with the Lantos-Hyde Act.”

 
It is signed by U.S. senators Boxer, Isakson, Casey, Lautenberg, Cardin, Durbin, Gillibrand and Kaufman. You can read the full letter here.

ONE Campaign Co-founder Bono issued this response:

“Americans, whether they know it or not, are literally saving the lives of millions of people in the poorest places on the planet. In the last five years, America has prevented 1 million women from passing on HIV to their babies…funded care for 3 millions AIDS orphans…and provided desperately needed medicine to more than 1.4 million people suffering from HIV/AIDS. You are my heroes and not just for what you’ve done, but for what this new law promises.

This has more to do with hard heads than soft hearts. America’s global AIDS plan has proved to be a smart investment, paying dividends in live saved, communities stabilized and America’s reputation in the world growing a little bit brighter. This stuff works and leaders from left and right — leaders like Senators Biden and Lugar, Representatives Berman and Ros-Lehtinen, President Bush, Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid – put aside their differences and agreed to do more.”

3pm:

-Very exciting atmosphere in the east gold room. They usually have state dinners in here.

-The procession just arrived and are standing on stage. Primary cosponsors: Biden, Berman, Kerry, Payne, Sununu, Brownback, Lugar, Lee, Pence, Dybul, and Enzi.

-People in the room:

Africa diplomatic corps and 15 focus-country ambassadors
Mrs Lantos, for whose husband the bill is named
Malaria coordinator- Anthony Zeimer
The African Children’s Choir
Peter Piot, head of UNAIDS

-President and the First Lady just arrived – to applause.

-They’re shaking hands with congressional members.

-Laura Bush offers an introduction. Talks about American pride in this leadership role on fighting global AIDS.

-Everyone is applauding the president

-President Bush welcomes everyone. Recognizes Lantos and Hyde.

-President recognizes Ambassador Mark Dybul for his amazing work implementing PEPFAR and negotiating this new bill, all to thunderous applause from the audience.

3:05 pm

-The President gives his remarks:

-PEPFAR is the largest commitment by any single nation in history to combat a single disease. 1.7 people are on treatment and 7 million are receiving care including children.

-The president says to whom much is given much is expected. Through PEPFAR, the U.S. is spreading hope

3:07 pm:

-He talks about his trip with Laura to Africa and how much appreciation was expressed by Africans in several countries to the American people for PEPFAR.

3:17 pm:

-Tell us this bill will boost bi-lateral and multi lateral assistance to combat AIDS, TB and Malaria.

-Gives a message to people around world with AIDS or whom think they have AIDS- (I’m paraphrasing.)

‘AIDS does not mean death and it should not bring shame. Do not be ashamed to get tested and get treatment Your family cares about you and Americans care about you. ‘

-The president recognizes Agnes from Uganda (yes our Agnes) who lost her husband to AIDS (before PEPFAR) and is receiving treatment from PEPFAR now. Agnes is here at the White House event, in great health and is helping others like her in her community.

-President Bush recognizes Muhammed, another patient he met in Africa this year and who was near death but is on now on PEPFAR treatment and doing great.

3:21 pm:

-Muhammed told the president of his dream to come to the White House, so President invited him for this signing ceremony.

-President Bush thanks the congressional member present and all those who helped to get the bill done. He signs the legislation In memory of Tom Lantos and Henry Hyde – the bill’s original sponsors.

-Ceremony ends.

-We are off to hear drumming singing and dancing of the African Children’s Choir.

-Maryamu Aminu

ONE’s Legislative Director Tom Hart sent in this post right after arriving at the signing event:

I’m sitting in the East Room of the White House, with its 3 massive chandaliers and gold trim, as the president signs a nearly $50b reauthorization of PEPFAR. I feel like this room couldn’t be big enough to hold all the support this effort has, especially from ONE members around the country. In DC, we read every day of conflict, partisan bickering and good things stalled. Not today. Republicans, Democrats, Congress, the White House – all found a reason to work together and get this lifesaving initiative done.

As I filed through one of the holding rooms prior to the event, I ran into ONE’s old friend, Agnes from Uganda. What a surprise. The President invited her to this ceremony as one of his “special guests”. Agnes works for this amazing organization in Uganda named TASO, where PEPFAR has supported many many people on ARVs. Agnes is also HIV+, making the signing of this bill all the more meaningful. In fact, the rest of the pomp and glitz don’t really matter…it’s really about Agnes and the millions of others this bill has touched and will over the next 5 years.

-Tom Hart

Thanks to all the ONE members who rallied and contacted their elected officials in support of PEPFAR reauthorization. Last week’s action by Congress will bring hope to millions of children living in countries hit hard by the AIDS crisis. If you are curious about how your actions will trickle down to the country and community level, let me share the stories of four young boys orphaned by AIDS in Africa. PEPFAR is helping them cope with their loss and look to the future.

One country that has been particularly hard-hit by the AIDS crisis is Ethiopia, struggling to meet the needs of four million orphans nationwide. This year, a popular children’s television show, “Tsehai Loves Learning,” has helped orphans deal with grief, while changing attitudes among other young children about children made vulnerable by AIDS. PEPFAR funding made it possible for Whiz Kids Workshop, in partnership with Save the Children, USAID and other partners to produce and broadcast four episodes devoted to helping the youngest Ethiopians understand the issues faced by children orphaned and affected by AIDS.

You only have to see the changes in a little boy named Yonatan, now 8 years old, and his half-brother, Dagmawi, 16, to appreciate how PEPFAR funding is benefiting countless children in Ethiopia. Yonatan was only five when his mother died, but he recalls her death as if it happened yesterday. “He always remembers her, tells stories about her and cries,” says Dagmawi.

Through simple puppets, a little animation and a lot of imagination, “Tsehai Loves Learning” has taught both brothers some valuable life lessons. “That was emotional for me,” said Dagmawi, who watched the first episode about coping with grief with his younger brother. “Not to exaggerate, but tears came up. But it gave me the idea that whenever I’m sad about my mom, I can imagine that I’m talking to her and can tell her that I’m doing ok.”

In Mozambique , twins Samuel and Pedro, 5 year-old orphans who lost both parents to AIDS, live with their grandmother in Guemulene village in Mozambique. Samuel and Pedro now attend preschool thanks to PEPFAR, which funded construction materials for the classrooms, teacher training and education materials. We’re talking about a poor community, where many of the men work in South Africa’s mines and there is a high rate of HIV/AIDS.

When Save the Children first started working in this community, there was only one toy — a hula hoop — which all the kids had to share. The PEPFAR funding is awakening hope for change for these children. Pedro’s grandmother said, “The school will help Pedro to grow and find something to do when he grows up. He says, ‘I want to take my bath and eat so I can go to school.’”

This week, we await President Bush signing the bill into law, and in doing so, Save the Children will be able to help change the lives of millions of children worldwide.

-Tonya Nyagiro, Associate Vice President, HIV/AIDS Program Save the Children

Now $48 Billion in global AIDS, malaria and TB funding is just one presidential signature away.

PEPFAR is legislation to fund global AIDS, malaria and TB programs with $48 billion for the next five years.

I’ll keep you posted as we hear updates.

We expect the House vote today – and we’ll keep you posted here with updates as they roll in.

………………..

12:10 p.m. UPDATE: The PEPFAR House vote is now more likely for tomorrow.

We dodged several potentially devastating amendments over the last 2 days – pieces of legislation that would have put millions of lives at risk. We did lose one amendment-fight, however, so the total funding for PEPFAR for the next five years will now be $48 billion, instead of the original $50 billion.

After tonight’s successful Senate vote, the bill will go back to the House and then onto the president to sign. We are hopeful those processes will be swift.

Given how much we had to fight to reauthorize this bill this year- this is a great victory for us. Thank you to everyone who contacted their members of Congress to pass PEPFAR. Literally, millions of lives will be saved with this funding.

Below, a quote from our Legislative Director Tom Hart:

“Even as Americans face serious concerns at home, the Senate has proved America’s commitment to providing lifesaving medicines to the world’s most vulnerable people. PEPFAR is an investment in people around the world; but it is also an example of America’s generosity and a critical piece of American diplomacy. By treating and preventing disease and saving lives, we can help to create more stable communities and a more secure future for Americans.

Senators Biden, Lugar and Reid are true heroes for their persistence and patience in passing this bill. This legislation received strong support from co-sponsoring Senators on both sides of the aisle, including both Presidential candidates.”

After the jump find all the proposed amendments, their results, and those who voted for and against this bill.

-Virginia Simmons

……………………………………………………………….

Proposed Amendments to this bill:

1. An amendment to limit the number of countries receiving
assistance from the United States through global AIDS, introduced by
Senator DeMint ,Defeated by a “motion to table” 70-23

2. An amendment to reauthorize the 2003 AIDS, TB, Malaria Act as
is, introduced by Senator Bunning , Defeated by a vote of 16-80

3. An amendment to include cost-share agreements, introduced by
Senator Gregg, Accepted by voice vote

4. An amendment to reduce funding by $2 billion from $50 billion to devote to Indian health care, introduced by Senator Thune, Accepted by voice vote

5. An amendment to establish a sunset commission to review AIDS
programs, introduced by Senator Cornyn, Defeated by a vote of 32-63

6. An amendment on medical transmission of HIV, introduced by
Senator Sessions, Accepted by voice vote

7. An amendment to establish an Inspector General for the Global Fund, introduced by Senator David Vitter (R-LA), Accepted by voice vote

8. An amendment to establish an Inspector General for the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator, introduced by Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), Defeated by a vote of 44-51

9. An amendment to reduce funding fro m $50 billion to $35 billion,
introduced by Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), Defeated by a vote of 32-63

10. An amendment that attempted to ensure that the final year of the
five year authorization did not exceed $10 billion, Defeated by a vote
of 28-67

Votes for and against this bill:

YEAs – 80

Akaka (D-HI)
Alexander (R-TN)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Bennett (R-UT)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Bond (R-MO)
Boxer (D-CA)
Brown (D-OH)
Brownback (R-KS)
Burr (R-NC)
Byrd (D-WV)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Clinton (D-NY)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Conrad (D-ND)
Corker (R-TN)
Dodd (D-CT)
Dole (R-NC)
Domenici (R-NM)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Durbin (D-IL)
Enzi (R-WY)
Feingold (D-WI)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Grassley (R-IA)
Hagel (R-NE)
Harkin (D-IA)
Hatch (R-UT)
Inouye (D-HI)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kerry (D-MA)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Kohl (D-WI)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (ID-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCaskill (D-MO)
McConnell (R-KY)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Murray (D-WA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Pryor (D-AR)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Roberts (R-KS)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schumer (D-NY)
Shelby (R-AL)
Smith (R-OR)
Snowe (R-ME)
Specter (R-PA)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Stevens (R-AK)
Sununu (R-NH)
Tester (D-MT)
Thune (R-SD)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Webb (D-VA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)

NAYS – 16

Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bunning (R-KY)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Craig (R-ID)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Ensign (R-NV)
Graham (R-SC)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Sessions (R-AL)
Vitter (R-LA)
Wicker (R-MS)

(All but one of the amendments we were worried about failed. More on that shortly.)