Cole, Díaz-Balart, Aderholt Denounce Illegal Use of PEPFAR, Taxpayer Dollars

Washington, D.C. – House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK), Vice Chair and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), and Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) released the below statement regarding the Biden Administration’s illegal use of taxpayer dollars to perform abortions within the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program:
 
The lawmakers said, “American values and law dictate a zero-tolerance policy for the funding of abortions through federal taxpayer dollars. We are outraged to learn this standard has been violated under the non-watchful eye of the Biden Administration, only notifying Congress on their way out the door. PEPFAR has saved the lives of millions of innocent people and strengthened global health for decades. Its intent is to protect lives - not terminate them. This disgraceful perversion of a successful and bipartisan initiative demands stringent accountability. We demand a thorough investigation and dismissal of any official found to have taken part in this egregious violation. Whether malicious intent or extreme negligence, this can never be allowed to happen again. Disregard for compliance or oversight will not be tolerated. Life must be protected - we will not stand down on this matter.”
 
U.S. officials have reported that CDC-funded nurses in Mozambique have been conducting abortions since as early as 2021, utilizing PEPFAR funds meant to combat HIV/AIDS worldwide. Under the Biden Administration’s watch, this is the first documented violation of U.S. law prohibiting funds for abortion since the program was created in 2003. Pro-life protections are a priority for Republican appropriators. The House FY24 and FY25 SFOPS reports included language requiring strengthened oversight and rigorous monitoring.

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