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May 20, 2008
ACTION ALERT: GIVE 10 MINUTES TO PEPFAR!
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Tell Reid to bring PEPFAR for a vote! |
Take ten minutes today, and help make sure that the biggest global health bill ever will pass the Senate. This bill would make sure that three to four million people have access to HIV treatment, the dire shortage of health workers in Africa starts to be addressed, millions of people would have bednets to protect from malaria, and people across the world have the tuberculosis treatment they need.
Do you have ten minutes today to make sure this important bill passes?
The Hyde/Lantos U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 (S. 2731)is being held up in the Senate by a handful of senators, known as the "Coburn Seven". These senators—Tom Coburn (R-OK), Jim DeMint (D-SC), Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), David Vitter (R-LA), Jim Bunning (R-KY), Richard Burr (R-NC)—are consciously delaying a vote on this bill, which has broad bipartisan support, and threatening a program which aims to save millions of lives.
This bill will pass if Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid decides to move the bill forward. Unfortunately, Reid has not shown a desire to make sure this legislation is passed as soon as possible. With millions of lives, and hundreds of organizations doing lifesaving work, waiting on reauthorization, can you take ten minutes to make three calls today to help pass this legislation?
Today can you call:
- Both of your senators (unless one of your senators is part of the obstructionist "Coburn Seven") and say "As a constituent, I am incredibly concerned that the bipartisan Global AIDS, TB and Malaria Reauthorization Bill will not pass unless Senator Reid makes it a priority. I am calling to ask Sen. (your Senator) to encourage Sen. Reid to pass this critical piece of legislation, which will save millions of lives worldwide, as soon as possible." You can reach your senators by calling the Capitol switchboard toll-free at (800) 828-0498. If that number is busy, call (202) 224-3121. Ask to be connected to your senator. If you don't know who that is, go to www.congress.org and enter your zip code in the upper left corner.
- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid —who can help dislodge this bill and make sure seven obstructionist Senators don't block an overwhelmingly bipartisan bill—and say "I am extremely concerned that the Global AIDS, TB and Malaria Reauthorization bill may be held up by seven Senators who are going against the overwhelming majority of Americans and Congresspeople. Will Sen. Reid make sure work to push this critical legislation through the Senate in the next few weeks?". You can call Reid's office and speak to staff in D.C. at 202-224-3542.
We have gotten the bill through the House. Will you help with the final push to make this important legislation law?
Thank you for your help passing this bill!
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