Michael Emanuel Rajner Picture

Urgent: AIDS funds at risk in Budget Bill

Filed by: Michael Emanuel Rajner

March 6, 2009 9:30 AM

Support the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill

CALL YOUR SENATORS NOW!

Urge them to Pass the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill , which Includes critical increases for HIV programs and funding for a National AIDS Strategy

Why: The Senate is currently considering the Fiscal Year 2009 (FY09) Omnibus legislation. The Omnibus Appropriations Bill includes funding for the majority of domestic HIV/ AIDS programs. The Omnibus legislation increases the Ryan White Program by $71.6 million, HOPWA by $10 million and the National Institutes of Health by $938 million. It decreases ineffective Abstinence-only programs by $14 million. Within the Financial Services and General Government account, the Omnibus appropriates $1.4 million to the White House to develop a National AIDS Strategy. It is imperative that the Senate pass the FY 2009 Omnibus without amendment this week to ensure that funding is increased for these and other vital programs that impact people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

If the Senate does not pass the Omnibus, a Continuing Resolution at FY 2008 funding levels will likely be enacted. This means flat funding for domestic HIV/AIDS Programs and no funding for the development of a National AIDS Strategy.

Much more after the jump, including the list of Florida Senators to contact.

* Passage of the Omnibus FY09 Appropriations bill is essential to the work of the National AIDS Strategy (NAS).
* Funding increases for the HIV domestic portfolio are critical and must be passed.

The following Senators have indicated they are against the omnibus or undecided on how they will vote on it's passage. If your Senator is on this list please call them immediately. CLICK HERE for the full alert, your Senators phone numbers, and talking points for your call.

Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN),
Sen. Christopher Bond (R-MO),
Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI),
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA),
Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE),
Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL),
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO),
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME),
Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL),
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK),
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ),
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS)

Action needed: Contact your senators -- switchboard: 202-224-3121

Urge your Senators to Pass the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which includes critical increases for domestic HIV/AIDS programs including the Ryan White Program and funding for the development of a of National AIDS Strategy.

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