Schatz Urges Secretary Rubio To Release Billions In Funding For Gavi Vaccine Alliance, Global Fund To Fight Diseases, Save Lives

WASHINGTON - During a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on the State Department's budget request for FY27, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) urged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to quickly release billions of dollars in funding that Congress has appropriated for GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; and other global health programs.

In his opening remarks, Senator Schatz, Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, said, "You have been granted extraordinary authority, not just as secretary of state, but national security advisor, and one of the closest members of the cabinet to the president. I want you to assert your authority and implement the law we have passed because that is the only way we will be able to pass the new bill. It is hard for me to have swallowed a 13 percent cut and then argue for another bill if the bill we already passed is not being followed."

On funding for GAVI, Senator Schatz asked Secretary Rubio, "The statute is not unclear about whose authority it is and what you are obliged to do. Can we get a timeframe for moving this money?"

Secretary Rubio responded, "I want to get this solved. I'll be engaged in getting it solved. I don't know of the time, but I mean shortly."

Without U.S. support, GAVI estimates that 75 million children will not receive routine vaccinations over the next five years, with more than 1.2 million children dying as a result. GAVI has already reduced vaccinations because of funding being withheld.

Pressed by Senator Schatz about $661 million matched by other donors in funding that has not been made available to the Global Fund, Secretary Rubio said, "I think that will move shortly - very quickly."

Senator Schatz further pressed Secretary Rubio about another $3 billion being withheld for specific global health and other programs, noting Secretary Rubio is "perfectly capable of getting money released" when he wishes, and that malaria, TB, and HIV/AIDS are urgent priorities.

Video of Senator Schatz's opening remarks is available here. Video of his exchange with Secretary Rubio is available here.

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