Protesters Disrupt Hearing, Criticize Trump Budget Chief Over HIV/AIDS Cuts
Activists interrupt congressional hearing to condemn Trump administration's budget chief Russ Vought over slashing funding for the Pepfar program amid sweeping aid cuts.
Protesters decrying delays to funding in the battle against HIV/AIDS charged into a congressional hearing where the Trump administration's budget czar, Russell Vought, was testifying in Washington on Wednesday. The demonstrators disrupted the proceedings on Capitol Hill and twice brought the hearing to a halt.
The activists condemned Vought for slashing the Pepfar (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) program amid sweeping aid cuts proposed by the Trump administration. Pepfar is a major U.S. initiative that has provided life-saving antiretroviral treatment to millions of people living with HIV in developing countries.
The protest came as Vought, the White House's Office of Management and Budget director, was defending the administration's budget request for the 2021 fiscal year, which included deep cuts to foreign aid and global health programs. Critics have warned that the proposed cuts could undermine progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases worldwide.
Source: The Guardian
