“Foreign assistance is not a handout; it is a strategic investment in our future,” they wrote. “It directly serves our national interests and demonstrates our credibility to allies, partners, and vulnerable people who rely on American assistance for survival.”
The lawmakers highlighted the vital role of PEPFAR, warning that Rubio’s actions “will cost lives.”
Foreign Aid as a Political Bargaining Chip
Among the programs impacted by the freeze is the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a global HIV-prevention initiative launched in 2003 by President George W. Bush. PEPFAR has saved over 25 million lives by providing anti-retroviral treatment to 20.6 million people across 55 countries.
Sources told CBS News that the funding freeze could cut off access to life-saving medications for millions as early as Monday. Concerns have been raised over whether stockpiles of medications can sustain recipients during the 90-day pause.
PEPFAR has already faced political scrutiny, particularly from conservative groups. In 2023, over $1 billion in funding was delayed during budget negotiations, as conservatives alleged the program indirectly supports organizations that promote or provide abortions.
