U.S. Representative Chris Smith, who in the past has championed PEPFAR, the U.S. global AIDS initiative, is adding his voice to critics who claim that the initiative is being used to fund abortion-related programs.
“President Biden has hijacked PEPFAR … in order to promote abortion on demand,” the New Jersey Republican wrote in a letter to colleagues that Devex obtained. He goes on to say that “bad actor” NGOs that promote abortion have received $1.34 billion in PEPFAR funds since fiscal year 2021.
The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief — like all U.S. foreign assistance programs — is legally barred from funding abortion. It also operates in many countries where abortion is heavily restricted. Several of the organizations Smith names in his letter said that the information about them is incorrect and that they abide by all U.S. and local laws. They reiterated to Devex that the funding they receive from the U.S. government does not go to support abortion.