The ATS has been working with colleague tuberculosis (TB) control organizations and members of Congress to introduce legislation to reauthorize and expand the CDC’s TB control programs. The ATS is pleased that Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, andSen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) re-introduced the End Tuberculosis Now Act (S.288), comprehensive bipartisan legislation to make the elimination of TB a foreign assistance priority for the United States. Previously introduced in both the 117th Congress and 116th Congress, the End Tuberculosis Now Act was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in December 2022 with broad bipartisan support.
The legislation reauthorizes U.S. international TB control programs, updates U.S. global control strategies, and seeks greater coordination between U.S. bilateral TB control programs and the World Health Organization (WHO) End TB Strategy and STOP TB partnership. The legislation also requires annual reports to Congress about tuberculosis-related foreign assistance and the development of new technologies, in addition to regular evaluations by the Government Accountability Office.
The ATS will continue to work with TB control organizations to advance the Senate bill while seeking introduction of companion legislation in the House of Representatives.