In the upcoming days, we will welcome the new members of the 119th Congress all with varied backgrounds and experiences that will undoubtedly aid in our collective goal to end the HIV epidemic in the United States. The challenges we face in our journey to reach our goals are numerous, from attempts to cut federal and state HIV funding in the appropriations process to ensuring protections for the LGBTQ+ community and preventing further attacks on reproductive health care, we will certainly have our work cut out for us. This new class offers multiple opportunities for new partnerships and avenues to face these challenges head-on. Below we’ve outlined some promising partners in our efforts to end the epidemic:
Senate
In California, we are eager to work with Senator Adam Schiff whose background includes advocating for continued abortion access, introducing the 2021 PrEP Access Coverage Act, and championing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ expansion of coverage and elimination of out-of-pocket costs for PrEP under medicare. Schiff’s continued efforts to lower the cost of medication and ensure equitable health access for people living with HIV are critical to our mission of ending the HIV epidemic.
Other new Senate members of note include Lisa Blunt Rochester from Delaware, who was the first Black woman to represent Delaware in the House of Representatives and now the Senate. In her time in office, Rochester has reintroduced the HIV Epidemic Loan-Repayment Program (HELP) alongside former Chair of the HIV Caucus Rep. Barbara Lee. Senator Rochester has also participated in congressional briefings for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
Angela Alsobrooks was elected to represent Maryland in the Senate in the 2024 election, becoming the state’s first Black senator. Senator Alsobrooks has shown support for our communities in the past through her work as County Executive of Prince George’s County, Maryland to expand health services for individuals living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
House
In Alabama’s newly created 2nd district, we are eager to work with Rep. Shomari Figures, a former Obama administration aide and deputy chief of staff to Merrick Garland at the Department of Justice. Rep. Figures’ strong background in civil rights and his work in campaigns to expand access to quality healthcare is critical in ensuring that equitable access to lifesaving and quality of life-enhancing healthcare is available to all people living with and affected by HIV in the United States.
We are excited to see Rep. Julie Johnson, representing the 32nd district of Texas. Rep. Johnson will be the first openly LGBTQ+ person to represent Texas in Congress and has been a long-time champion for LGBTQ+ rights and women’s health care. As the representative for Texas’ 115th district, Rep. Johnson introduced HB 3058, which would eliminate the requirement for prior authorization of prescription medications used to treat HIV. The ability to quickly and affordably receive medication is integral to the health and wellness of people living with HIV.
New Jersey’s 10th district will also be making history as it has elected LaMonica McIver to represent its district. Rep. McIver is the youngest representative to be elected to represent New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives. Her priorities in the past have included investing in our healthcare infrastructure, placing a specific emphasis on culturally competent care and combatting discrimination in healthcare institutions. This is a battle still being fought by people living with HIV, and to ensure all people are able to receive quality healthcare regardless of race, age, gender identity or sexual orientation, we must continue combatting discrimination & HIV stigma in the healthcare settings. We are eager to continue fighting alongside Rep. McIver in this effort.
As AIDSWatch 2025 approaches we are eager to use this as an opportunity to educate and collaborate with many first-term legislators on the issues their constituencies face. With our members’ support, we can all advance along in our goal to end the HIV epidemic in the United States.
