Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, told reporters Tuesday that Trump was on board with the PEPFAR exemption. A senior Trump administration confirmed this detail with Fortune.
“There is a substitute amendment that does not include the PEPFAR rescission and we’re fine with that,” Vought said, adding the vast majority of alleged savings remained. “Big chunks of this proposal are not falling out.”
Despite Collins’ objections, she told reporters she was pleased with the success of her PEPFAR advocacy. “This is something I’ve worked hard to protect from the beginning.”
“We’re already working with countries and other partners to ensure that they shoulder a greater share of the burden where they can. We continue to make targeted investments in mother to child prevention, and other key areas of focus,” they said.
