PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 25, 2025
Contact: Asia Russell, Health GAP, asia@healthgap.org | 267-475-2645
AIDS Activists and Former USAID Employees Arrested Protesting Deadly Cuts to PEPFAR
During OMB Secretary Vought’s Senate Appropriations Committee Testimony
Green Light for Cuts Would Kill People, While Setting Stage for Further Seizure of Congress’ Appropriations Power
(Washington, DC) Activists from Housing Works, ACT UP New York, and Health GAP along with former USAID staff protested OMB Secretary Russell Vought’s unprecedented attack on HIV and global health assistance during his testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee today, June 25. 8 people were arrested disrupting Vought’s testimony, holding signs and chanting “Vought’s Cuts Kill,” and “Vought Lies, People Die!”
The activists were protesting Vought and Trump’s $9.4 billion rescission package affecting already Congressionally appropriated FY25 funds. If passed by Congress, the rescissions would codify into law $8.3 billion in deadly cuts for lifesaving HIV and foreign assistance, as well as $1.1 billion for public broadcasting. The package passed the House by only 2 votes. Congress has until July 18 to act on the package, or the funds must be spent as Congress appropriated them. Several powerful Republican Senators, including Appropriations Chair Senator Collins, have expressed opposition to the proposed cuts.
“Vought has made it clear he will stop at nothing to seize the Constitutionally enshrined appropriations power of Congress—no matter how many people die as a result,” said Eric Sawyer of Health GAP. “We are demanding Senators stop abdicating their authority and vote no on rescissions, and ensure PEPFAR is fully restored.”
Vought has publicly stated that this package is just a first test, and more rescission packages will be coming, including proposed “pocket rescissions” as a way to unlawfully subvert Congress’ power of the purse. Broad-stroke rescissions such as these are not only unusual, they undermine the congressionally directed appropriations process. And they will enable Vought to repeat the same maneuver with the FY26 budget currently being negotiated.
“PEPFAR is the most successful global health program in history, it has been championed by Republicans and Democrats alike. Congress has up to now shamefully allowed PEPFAR to be decimated by Trump and Vought,” said Charles King of Housing Works. “This must stop today. Congress should not give up its power to a man who despises people with HIV, despises Congressional appropriations authority, and despises our Constitution.”
The White House has also falsely claimed rescissions to PEPFAR are not life threatening. “Vought is lying about PEPFAR rescissions—Senators should not be fooled,” said Mark Milano of Health GAP. “These rescissions must be stopped. Millions of lives are on the line.”
ENDS
