(Washington, D.C. and Portland, Maine) 30 AIDS activists carried out an act of civil disobedience at the office of Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Senate Appropriations Committee Chair, at 11 AM today; 5 were arrested. In a coordinated effort, activists also delivered mock ‘bodybags’ to Collins’ Portland, Maine office. Activists were reacting to deadly harms caused by Collins’ unwillingness to hold Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought accountable for illegally obstructing the release of already appropriated funding for lifesaving HIV treatment and prevention.
In June protesters protested Vought, insisting that global AIDS programs be protected from his rescissions, including with civil disobedience during his testimony before Collins' Appropriations Committee. Collins ultimately forced Vought to strip PEPFAR from a recession deal passed in July. However, Vought has defied Collins’ will, and is instead withholding billions of dollars in appropriated PEPFAR funding, which has triggered outrage. Senator Collins’ cowardice comes amidst Voughts’ increasing attacks on health, including mass firings targeting CDC branches. CDC is a major PEPFAR implementer, responsible for one-third of PEPFAR’s budget.
Activists demanded Collins make the apportionment of all remaining PEPFAR funds be included as part of any spending deal to re-open the federal government. “Collins must choose a different path: she must use her authority and prioritize people’s lives over politics and save the lives of millions of people,” said Charles King, CEO of Housing Works, who was among those arrested this morning.
“In July, we applauded Collins’ willingness to fight for people with HIV which resulted in a temporary reprieve from further unlawful cuts,” said Asia Russell, Health GAP Executive Director. “In response, Vought has gone behind Collins’ back. Why isn’t she fighting back? We cannot allow Collins to refuse to take action now–just because Vought is violating the law doesn’t mean she can break her promise to people with HIV.”
“Collins has said that PEPFAR funds are not reaching people in need, yet she refuses to use the full power of her position to end the political obstruction and lawlessness while people continue to die. The consequences of her inaction, and of her votes, will be measured in body bags around the world,” said Marie Follayttar of Disability Voters of Maine.
Vought’s singlehanded chokehold on PEPFAR funds has resulted in clinics across sub Saharan Africa being forced to slash their budgets, despite Congress fully funding the global AIDS program (see: "Trump Budget Office Is Withholding H.I.V. Funds That Congress Appropriated”). Activists are calling for full restoration of PEPFAR, immediate disbursement of appropriated PEPFAR funds, and rejection of deadly political interference in global and domestic HIV programs.
Activists are demanding Collins:
- Fully restore PEPFAR programming by directing Vought to release withheld PEPFAR funding consistent with Congressional appropriations
- Include the release of withheld PEPFAR funding as part of her 6-point plan to re-open government.
