The White House confirmed on Monday that it supports removing a $400 million reduction to PEPFAR, a global health programme credited with saving millions of lives through its support for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment worldwide.

Russ Vought, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, told reporters that the administration is “on board” with protecting PEPFAR funding in the final rescission bill. The development comes as the Senate prepares to begin voting on the package on Tuesday, following its passage through the House of Representatives in June.

The proposed legislation seeks to significantly reduce spending at the Department of State, the US Agency for International Development, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides financial support to public media outlets such as NPR and PBS.

--Sherwin Bryce-Pease/ChannelAfrica--