CWA Calls for Lifesaving Amendments to the Global AIDS Bill     4/28/2003

Without a clear mandate, future administrations will be able to use AIDS prevention dollars for ineffective condom based programs.

Washington, D.C. – Concerned Women for America’s Vice President for Government Relations Michael Schwartz heralded the need for amendments to H.R. 1298 upon its consideration Thursday, May 1, 2003, to make the bill more effective and fiscally responsible.

“The President has done a wise and compassionate thing to call for funding to relieve the burden of the AIDS crisis in Africa,” said Schwartz. “We know that President Bush is a pragmatic man, who will use funds in the most effective ways possible to prevent the spread of HIV. But we are quite sure that Congress must clearly outline the President’s purpose within the bill. Without a clear mandate, future administrations will be able to use AIDS prevention dollars for ineffective condom based programs, rather than lifesaving ones based on abstinence and faithfulness.”

Pro-family members of Congress plan to offer amendments to H.R. 1298 on the House floor next Thursday to strengthen the bill in a number of areas. Grassroots activists should encourage their Representatives in the US House to support:

1. An amendment to strengthen abstinence provisions in the bill, to ensure that the US funds HIV/AIDS prevention methods that have proven to be effective in actually reducing the incidence and spread of HIV/AIDS in countries such as Uganda, while maintaining flexibility to incorporate other strategies.
2. A conscience-clause type amendment to ensure that faith-based organization that participate in HIV/AIDS prevention programs do not have to distribute condoms, if it is against their religious or moral beliefs.
3. An amendment that limits funding to the Global Fund. This organization is not held accountable to anyone, The Wall Street Journal has reported that the Fund's executive director makes upwards of $200,000.

For Information Contact:
Demi Bardsley
(202) 488-7000, ext. 1020
media.cwfa.org

Printer Friendly Version

Recent Articles

CWA Calls Out NOW for its Bizarre Attack on Super Bowl Ad

The Aftermath of Abortion

There Was a Heartbeat

March For Life, Abortion in Obamacare, Tiller Murder Trial

Abortion and Recovery: Two Women's Stories

Bella Hero: A Powerful Movie Lives On

Congressman Trent Franks Remembering the Unborn on the 36th Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade

Abortion Changes You … and Those You Love