Republicans in the US Senate have indicated they will shield the US-backed HIV/Aids program, Pepfar, from budget reductions amid a broader effort to curtail government spending.

Senators have reportedly agreed to abandon a proposal to cut $400 million from the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief, leaving the total proposed cuts at $9 billion.

The proposition was introduced as a Senate amendment to a rescissions package – legislation that allows lawmakers to cancel previously approved Congressional funding. The planned rescissions also target funds allocated for international aid and public broadcasting.

If the Pepfar amendment gains approval, the bill will be sent back to the House of Representatives for another vote before a Friday deadline.

Concerns regarding cuts to Pepfar, launched under President George W. Bush and credited with saving tens of millions of lives globally, particularly in Africa, were voiced by multiple senators from both parties.

With the Republican majority in the Senate, only a few defections can be afforded, assuming unified opposition from Democrats. Republican Senate majority leader John Thune noted “significant interest” in maintaining Pepfar’s funding.

Following a White House lunch on Tuesday, Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, expressed her satisfaction that the cuts would be reversed.

Prior to the amendment, Collins had been a vocal critic of the bill. She has yet to confirm whether the changes are sufficient to secure her support.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought informed reporters that the White House is aligned with the Senate amendment, indicating President Donald Trump’s willingness to sign it in its current form.

During his second presidency, Trump has intensified efforts to reduce government spending. The rescission bill primarily targets funds previously earmarked for USAID, the American government’s principal humanitarian assistance agency, which recently announced its formal closure under Trump’s administration.

Trump’s actions have resulted in significant reductions in HIV/Aids clinics in South Africa and other nations, leading to shortages of essential medicine and care.

Prof Helen Rees, a specialist in HIV, vaccine-preventable diseases, and sexual health at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, welcomed the reversal.

“This is very good news,” she told the BBC.

“While it does not fully restore Pepfar’s original funding levels, it signals a shift in perspective within the US and acknowledges the program’s significance to members of the Senate in terms of lives saved.”

She further added that the abrupt withdrawal of funding posed “a significant threat to the lives of numerous individuals, particularly in lower-income countries and especially in Africa.”

Other cuts included in the rescission bill target funding for public broadcasters NPR and PBS.

Additional reporting by Ed Habershon in Johannesburg

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Republicans in the U.S. Senate have indicated their intention to shield the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) from proposed budget cuts, amid broader efforts to curtail government spending.

Senators have stated they will abandon a plan to reduce PEPFAR’s funding by $400 million, leaving the total proposed cuts at $9 billion.

This proposition was introduced as a Senate amendment to a rescissions package—legislation that allows lawmakers to cancel previously approved congressional funding. The proposed cancellations also target funds allocated for international aid and public broadcasting.

If the PEPFAR amendment is approved, the bill will return to the House of Representatives for another vote before a Friday deadline.

Bipartisan concerns had been raised regarding cuts to PEPFAR, an initiative launched under President George W. Bush, which has been credited with saving tens of millions of lives globally, particularly in Africa.

With a Republican majority in the Senate, only a few defections can be afforded, assuming unanimous opposition from Democrats. Senate Majority Leader John Thune noted “considerable interest” in maintaining PEPFAR’s funding.

Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, expressed her satisfaction to reporters after a White House lunch on Tuesday, stating she was “very pleased” that the cuts would be removed.

Prior to the amendment, Collins had voiced strong opposition to the bill. It remains unclear whether these changes are sufficient to secure her support.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought informed reporters that the White House supports the Senate amendment, suggesting President Donald Trump would be willing to sign the bill in its current form.

During his second term, President Trump has intensified efforts to reduce government expenditure. The rescission bill primarily aims to reclaim funds previously designated for USAID, the American government’s primary humanitarian assistance body, which recently announced its formal closure under the Trump administration.

These actions have resulted in significant reductions in HIV/AIDS clinics in countries such as South Africa, leading to shortages in essential medicine and care.

Prof. Helen Rees, a specialist in HIV, vaccine-preventable diseases, and sexual health at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, welcomed the reversal.

“This is very good news,” she told the BBC.

“While it does not fully replace PEPFAR’s previous contributions, it signals a shift in U.S. sentiment and acknowledges the program’s importance in saving lives.”

She added that the sudden withdrawal of funding posed “a significant threat to the lives of many, particularly in lower-income countries, especially in Africa.”

Additional cuts in the rescission bill target funding for public broadcasters NPR and PBS.

Additional reporting by Ed Habershon in Johannesburg

From their base in Colorado, Space Force units track missiles fired anywhere in the world.

The five people convicted of serious crimes come from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba and Yemen, the US says.

Vance Boelter has not entered a plea for the deadly 14 June attacks, for which he also faces state charges.

The US will lower its tariffs threatened on goods from Indonesia to 19% from a planned 32%.

The president also said “only really bad people” want to stoke theories about the well-connected sex offender.