The Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday rejected the presidential administrations proposed termination of the CDCs HIV prevention and surveillance effortsas well as massive proposed funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), advancing a measure that would increase the agencys budget by $400 million.The White House budget called for slashing NIH funding by $18 billion, a decrease of 40 percent. The committee rejected those cuts and others addressing HIV prevention, treatment and care, advancing the bill with overwhelming bipartisan support on a 26-3 vote. Related FDA approves twice-a-year HIV prevention drug that could help end the virus worldwide It reduces transmissions by up to 96%, but now world governments and big-dollar funders will need to step in. This committee has had multiple hearings over the last several months and heard from patients, families and researchers about the importance of NIH funding, said out Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) in remarks after the vote, The Hill reported. This committee has, in a bipartisan manner, prioritized NIH and the research it supports to develop life-saving treatments and cures for devastating diseases.Earlier this month, both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees rejected the presidential administrations proposal to eliminate the Department of Housing and Urban Developments Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program. While the House proposed maintaining the current $505 million budget, the Senate proposed to increase it by $24 million. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The committee also rejected funding cuts and block grants to states for prevention efforts focused on hepatitis and other STIs.Senate appropriators preserved those parts of the administrations budget that had maintained funding addressing HIV and PrEP programs, including $542 million for the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative launched by the president in his first term. The initiatives funding includes PrEP in community health centers and enhanced HIV prevention and treatment programs.Most of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program was preserved, as well.The committee also rejected the administrations plan to revamp the way the NIH pays universities, medical schools and other research centers.The president has invoked executive orders against gender ideology, child mutilation, and DEI, along with accusations of anti-Jewish behavior and threats of withholding NIH funding in his crusade against universities, their associated medical schools, and other research centers.To the scientists wondering if there will even be an NIH by the end of this administration: this committees resounding message is yes, said Sen. Patty Murray(D-WA), the committees vice chair. Congress has your back were not going to give up the fight against cancer, Alzheimers, or rare diseases, Murray said.Carl Schmid, executive directorof theHIV+Hepatitis PolicyInstitute, was cautiously optimistic following the committees bipartisan rebuke of the presidents funding priorities.We are pleased that senators of both parties recognize the critical importance of preventing HIV in the United States and the value of nationwide surveillance, testing, education, and PrEP programs, he said in a statement.The presidents proposed elimination of HIV prevention and surveillance programs, along with on and off staff and grant cuts and delays, have left HIV prevention in disarray. We hope the Senates vote of confidence for HIV prevention will start to bring the stability we need so that state and local health departments, other grantees, and staff can get back to doing their work. Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.