Al Jazeera English - Americas - US to triple global Aids funding: "The US House of Representatives has approved legislation that will more than triple the current $15bn funding for the global fight against Aids.
The House on Thursday passed the $48bn plan to fight Aids, malaria and tuberculosis worldwide for the next five years.
The move is a boost to a programme credited with saving or prolonging the lives of millions in Africa alone.
The global Aids bill passed by 303-115 votes is expected to be signed by George Bush, the US president.
The legislation approves spending of $5bn for malaria and $4bn for tuberculosis, the leading cause of death for people with Aids.
Passage of the bill culminated in a rare instance of co-operation between the White House and the Democratic-controlled congress.
Barbara Lee, a Democratic leader on the issue, said the vote was 'born out of a willingness to work together and put the United States on the right side of history when it comes to this global pandemic'.
Security and moral implications
The current Aids funding law has helped bring life-saving anti-retroviral drugs to about 1.7 million people and supported care for almost seven million.
Some Republican conservatives questioned the sharp spending increase but others defended it saying the aid had important security and moral implications,"
The House on Thursday passed the $48bn plan to fight Aids, malaria and tuberculosis worldwide for the next five years.
The move is a boost to a programme credited with saving or prolonging the lives of millions in Africa alone.
The global Aids bill passed by 303-115 votes is expected to be signed by George Bush, the US president.
The legislation approves spending of $5bn for malaria and $4bn for tuberculosis, the leading cause of death for people with Aids.
Passage of the bill culminated in a rare instance of co-operation between the White House and the Democratic-controlled congress.
Barbara Lee, a Democratic leader on the issue, said the vote was 'born out of a willingness to work together and put the United States on the right side of history when it comes to this global pandemic'.
Security and moral implications
The current Aids funding law has helped bring life-saving anti-retroviral drugs to about 1.7 million people and supported care for almost seven million.
Some Republican conservatives questioned the sharp spending increase but others defended it saying the aid had important security and moral implications,"
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