Seven protesters were broken up Monday after they stormed and briefly occupied the office of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), according to Capitol Police.
Protesters are seeking a five-year reauthorization of PEPFAR, the George W. Bush-era program that provides government funding for HIV and AIDS treatment, prevention and research.
“Pass PEPFAR now,” chanted the group as security personnel warned them they would be arrested if they remained.
The activist was then stood against a wall outside McCarthy’s office and handcuffed.
They continued to demand PEPFAR reform as authorities escorted them, in a scene captured on video by Politico reporter Alice Miranda Ollstein.
Some Republicans are hesitant to raise PEPFAR again because of concerns about abortion.AP
Activists see a demonstration for PEPFAR extensions while occupying the speaker’s office.HealthGAP/Twitter
“This morning, multiple individuals demonstrated inside the Home Office Building. After the protesters refused to stop demonstrating, the USCP later arrested the 4 men and 3 women for trespassing,” Capitol Police told The Post in a statement.
Congress has until September 30 to pass a government funding bill that would add to the PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) program, which has won bipartisan praise and saved as many as 25 million lives by some estimates.
But some Republicans have vilified the program, worried that some of the roughly $7 billion in funding might go to abortion providers.
Capitol Police said they arrested four men and three women.perumahan/Twitter
Several protesters sat on the floor chanting ‘PEPFAR now.’”HealthGAP/Twitter
The Biden administration has rejected that characterization.
McCarthy was outside his office when protesters burst in. A representative for the speaker did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his whereabouts.
The House is back in session on Tuesday and has just over two weeks to craft a spending plan to avoid a partial government shutdown.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
