McClellan, Kelly, Pocan Introduce Resolution to Reaffirm U.S. Commitment to Ending Pediatric HIV/AIDS

Washington, D.C. – In case you missed it: Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Congresswoman Robin Kelly (NY-02) and Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02) introduced H.Res. 955 to strengthen U.S. leadership in the global fight against HIV/AIDS by advancing prevention, expanding treatment for women and children and supporting families worldwide.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), global efforts against HIV/AIDS have driven progress, with new HIV infections falling by 40% and HIV-related deaths dropping by 54% since 2010. Despite these advances, HIV continues to pose a serious threat, with approximately 40.8 million people living with HIV at the end of 2024, including 21 million women and 1.4 million children worldwide. Each year, an estimated 1.3 million women and girls living with HIV become pregnant each year. Without interventions, HIV transmission rates between a mother and her child during pregnancy, labor, delivery and breastfeeding range from 15 to 45%. 

“Working with our global allies and partners, the United States has driven meaningful progress in reducing pediatric HIV/AIDS and curbing perinatal transmission. But we still have more work to do,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “Antiretroviral therapies help people live long, healthy lives by lowering the viral loads and strengthening the immune systems of those infected. This resolution supports the benchmarks set by the United Nations to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 by expanding prevention, increasing testing and treatment and maintaining global commitment.”

“In the midst of President Trump’s attacks against PEPFAR, the most successful global health program, it’s more important than ever that Congress recommits to ending HIV and AIDS worldwide,” said Congresswoman Kelly, Chair of the CBC Health Braintrust. “In particular, 1.4 million children live with HIV across the globe, and the U.S. has the power to end AIDS, eliminate new pediatric HIV infections, and support those affected. I am leading the fight to reauthorize PEPFAR, which supports orphans and vulnerable children, and save lives from AIDS.”

“PEPFAR has saved millions of lives and has proven that U.S. leadership can turn the tide against HIV/AIDS, but too many children continue to be left behind,” said Congressman Mark Pocan, Chair of the HIV/AIDS Caucus. “This resolution reaffirms America’s commitment to ending pediatric HIV/AIDS by strengthening PEPFAR’s leadership and advancing evidence-based, child-focused strategies. With the tools and knowledge we have today, ending pediatric AIDS is not just possible, it’s a moral obligation.”

H.Res. 955 reaffirms the United States’ commitment to ending AIDS, eliminating new pediatric HIV infections, and supporting women, children, adolescents and families affected by HIV. The resolution calls for scaling up pediatric HIV treatment, including access to more effective antiretroviral regimens, age-appropriate services and support for caregivers.

H.Res. 955 is endorsed by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, NMAC (formerly known as the National Minority AIDS Council) and ONE.

“We commend Representative McClellan for her leadership on this vital issue. The numbers tell an urgent story: 75,000 children died of AIDS-related causes last year, and only 55 percent of children living with HIV receive treatment compared to 78 percent of adults,” said Dr. Doris Macharia, President of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. “This resolution recognizes that gap as unacceptable and charts a clear path forward — calling for a dedicated PEPFAR pediatric HIV strategy that aligns with both the Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children by 2030 and the America First Global Health Strategy. We have the tools to end pediatric AIDS. We call on members of Congress to join Rep. McClellan in supporting this resolution and demonstrate their political commitment to finish what we started.”

“NMAC commends the leadership of Congresswoman McClellan, Congresswoman Kelly, and Congressman Pocan in reaffirming the United States’ commitment to ending HIV, at home and abroad,” said Harold Phillips, CEO of NMAC. “We cannot end the epidemic and especially pediatric HIV without protecting women and children, who while essential to our social fabric and future, are under-served within public health systems. Working at the intersection of HIV and family health — including testing pregnant women for HIV — has already led to significant prevention impact, and we encourage the United States to increase these prevention and treatment efforts in order to finally end pediatric AIDS, which is one critical step in ending the epidemic overall.”

“The U.S. continues to be a leader in the global fight against HIV/AIDS through investments in the Global Fund and programs like PEPFAR which ensured nearly 8 million babies were born HIV-free last year. Still, 75,000 children died of HIV/AIDS in 2024, and recent studies suggest the number of babies being born with HIV is on the rise,” said Elizabeth Hoffman, ONE Executive Director for North America. “It is crucial for the U.S. to maintain strong support for global investments in education, prevention, and treatment that serve vulnerable children, especially girls, who are disproportionately impacted by the crisis. With new innovations like Lenacapavir coming to market, the end of AIDS is within reach.  We must continue the fight until that goal is realized.”

Read the full resolution text here.