Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee held a markup of the fiscal year (FY) 2025 State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs (SFOPS) bill. While the Senate’s version is an improvement on the steep cuts proposed in the House version of the bill, the proposed budget falls short of meeting the need.

The bill provides $61.6 billion in base budget authority, which is $3.2 billion above FY24 enacted levels and $152.65 million short of the President’s FY25 request. The Senate bill allocates nearly $9.67 billion for global health programs at the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which is in line with FY24 enacted levels and the President’s request. 

The bill includes:

• An extension of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) from March 25, 2025 to September 30, 2026
• $250 million contribution to the Pandemic Fund
• $1.2 billion contribution to the Global Fund, the most allowable given the U.S. match requirements
• $940 million for maternal and child health funding at USAID, a $25 million increase, including $300 million for Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance (the first installment of a 5-year pledge of no less than $1.58 billion)
• $730 million for global health security (GHS) at USAID, $30 million above the FY24 level 

The bill provides flat funding for many global health programs, requiring these programs to do more with less given current inflation rates. 

“While the Senate’s bill is an improvement over the 8% cut to global health programs proposed in the House, it still falls short of what’s needed to address current global crises,” said GHC’s President and CEO, Elisha Dunn-Georgiou. “Though we recognize the constrained fiscal environment in which we operate, this already insufficient funding level will likely be further watered down during negotiations between House and Senate appropriators. Uncertainty around the outcome of U.S. elections will make these lame-duck negotiations even more challenging.”

Looking ahead to the ongoing appropriations process, significant divisions have slowed negotiations between House and Senate leadership for a bipartisan, bicameral agreement on topline spending levels for FY25, and it is unclear what funding will ultimately be available. Though there has previously been discussion of having final appropriations bills by the end of the calendar year, it seems unlikely.

As the leading membership organization devoted to advancing global health priorities, GHC will continue to work with both chambers of Congress across both parties to advocate for the strongest possible funding for global health in FY25 appropriations bills.

“The U.S. has played a critical role in fighting diseases, developing effective programs, and building health systems throughout the world,” said Dunn-Georgiou. “Building on this legacy and continuing to do its fair share is more important than ever. We are calling on Congress to ensure global health is a priority and provide adequate resources to these critical programs.”