ACTION ALERT: Urge Senate to Pass FY26 Spending that Funds Domestic & Global HIV Programs While Voting Against a Separate DHS Bill that Would Robustly Fund ICE
URGENT UPDATE:
Today at 11:30am ET, an initial Senate vote is scheduled on the full 6 bill fY26 appropriations package (DHS, Labor-HHS, Defense, THUD, Financial Services- General Government, and National Security-State). However, there is news that the White House may agree to break off the DHS spending bill from the other 5 spending bills, as advocates have been demanding. Here are talking points from the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) about the need for Congress to secure key changes at DHS before passing the final FY26 DHS spending bill.
Please continue to call your two Senators ASAP!
Overview
This week, the Senate is expected to vote on final FY26 appropriations bills – including domestic and global HIV funding. Given the need for both FY26 funding and guardrails, it is important for the Senate to pass the FY26 funding package that supports both domestic and global HIV programs. Given the numerous ICE shootings of civilians, including Keith Porter in Los Angeles, including Keith Porter in Los Angeles, and the killing of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by ICE officers in Minnesota, in addition to wrongful immigration detentions and violence by ICE and related agencies, the Senate must demand accountability and protection for communities nationwide by refusing to fund the current FY26 DHS spending bill that would robustly fund ICE and related agencies. We need your help now to urge Senators to:
- Pass final FY26 spending bills that fully fund access to health care and supports for people living with and vulnerable to HIV in the U.S. and globally.
- Vote separately and against the DHS spending bill that would robustly fund harmful ICE enforcement and immigration detention activities.
Act Now by Calling Your Senators:
- To find your two federal Senators, please visit: Who represents me? – Ballotpedia
- How to call:
- Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
- Ask for your Senators by name.
- Please note you must call each office separately, so this action alert will involve 3 calls.
Suggested Call Script:
Please feel free to change the script below as needed to best reflect your lived experience and/or jurisdiction.
- Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I’m a constituent [living/working/caringforpeople] in your state.
- Thank Congress for its introduction this week of FY26 spending bills that would maintain FY26 funding for HIV programs.
- Urge [Senator NAME] to vote for:
- Final FY26 spending bills that fully fund domestic and global HIV programs to ensure that people living with or vulnerable to HIV have access to critical treatment, prevention, care and supports needed to survive and live healthier lives, including:
- The Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) appropriations bill which would maintain funding for HIV treatment, prevention, education and training and research.
- The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill which would increase funding for the Housing Opportunities for People Living with HIV/AIDS Program.
- The State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations bill which would protect core PEPFAR and global fund activities.
- Final FY26 spending bills that fully fund domestic and global HIV programs to ensure that people living with or vulnerable to HIV have access to critical treatment, prevention, care and supports needed to survive and live healthier lives, including:
- Urge [Senator NAME] to vote against a separate, stand-alone FY26 DHS spending bill that would robustly fund harmful ICE enforcement and immigration detention activities.
Please note: If you call a Senate office and leave a voicemail, please state your full street address to ensure your call is counted.
Please call and urge others to call now and throughout this week – thank you!