We're giving the United States Senate a big thumbs up this morning. The legislators yesterday made some serious headway in the fight against HIV.
First, they approved a $50 billion in international funding over the next five years, which will help in areas such as Africa and Asia.
Meanwhile, the Senators also voted to lift the travel ban on HIV-positive travelers.
…A measure added to the Senate bill by Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Gordon Smith, R-Ore., [reverses] a policy that has made it difficult for HIV-positive foreigners to visit or seek residency in the United States."For 20 years the United States has barred HIV-positive travelers from entering the country even for one day," said Rachel B. Tiven, executive director of Immigration Equality. "Today the Senate said loud and clear that AIDS exceptionalism must come to an end."
The bill will now be hashed out in the House, which approved the aid back in April.
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This is groundbreaking if Bush does not Veto it.
Bush won't veto is; he's got an outstanding record on HIV, even if he's failed spectacularly with everything else. I reckon that'll be the good legacy he leaves behind.
This is fantastic news - I can't wait to get over to Andrew Sullivan's blog and read his surely overjoyed response to this news!
This is an exceptionnal week for immigrants like me.
My scottish HIV- partner got his green card last monday and now I have at last the perspective to get mine one day soon ! Being HIV+ and banned from staying here with the man I love has been horrible and depressing for years. Congratulations to Kerry and Bush indeed for a change !
I am french and HiV+ for now 20 years. I have a job in France, but my company is half french and half american. They sent me to the USA for work, and now they are asking me to stay and work here. They would sponsore me for a green card. Of course they don't know about my health issue. Since the ban, could I apply for a green card and not be refused, and then if I get refused my company could be get informed?. I work for a very good company with a very good health insurance. This should not be an issue. If somebody knows, could you email me with some infos, Before April. Thanks