The House on Thursday passed a $9.4 billion rescission package that included large cuts to global health programs, including the notable President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) that was launched during the Bush administration.

The package rescinded money that was already appropriated by Congress in an effort to cement the Department of Government Efficiency's spending cuts, including $8.3 billion for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The legislation, which passed in a 214-212 vote, included a $900 million reduction in funding for global health initiatives, including $500 million for programs like PEPFAR and $400 million for USAID health programs, according to The Hill.

The reduction comes after White House budget director Russ Vought told Congress last week that other countries, like those in Africa, should carry the bulk of PEPFAR costs, which help treat and prevent HIV and AIDS. 

“It is something that our budget will be very trim on because we believe that many of these nonprofits are not geared toward the viewpoints of the administration, and we’re $37 trillion in debt,” Vought said. “So, at some point, the continent of Africa needs to absorb more of the burden of providing this health care.” 

Global health experts have warned that the reduction for PEPFAR will have a "devastating" impact on the global AIDS/HIV community. 

Although the large package, which also included rollbacks in funding for public broadcasting, has passed the House, it still needs final approval from the Senate before President Donald Trump can sign it.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.