Former U.S. President George W. Bush, known for his anti-gay stance during his presidency, has raised his voice against congressional Republicans for their threats to defund the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a program he initiated in 2003. Despite his controversial history, Bush emphasized the program’s pro-life impact and its role in HIV prevention.
PEPFAR, estimated to have saved over 25 million lives, faces uncertainty as its funding is set to expire on September 30. Congressional Republicans, falsely alleging that the program promotes abortion, are using its re-funding as a bargaining chip in budget negotiations, even threatening a government shutdown. Their demands include cuts to military diversity programs and aid to Ukraine and increased anti-immigration measures at the U.S.-Mexico border.
In an opinion article in The Washington Post, Bush defended PEPFAR, stating, “We are on the verge of ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. To abandon our commitment now would forfeit two decades of unimaginable progress and raise further questions about the worth of America’s word.” He highlighted the advice he received from key officials, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and policy advisor Michael Gerson, who stressed the program’s importance in combatting the global HIV epidemic.
Despite Bush’s history of opposition to LGBTQ+ rights during his presidency, PEPFAR has garnered international goodwill and played a vital role in countering the spread of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. The program’s effectiveness in heterosexual HIV prevention has made it a sound investment in U.S. security, addressing a critical health issue while appealing to conservative Republicans.
George W. Bush’s appeal to Congress to reauthorize PEPFAR for another five years underscores the program’s significance in saving lives and combating the HIV epidemic, transcending political divides.