Democrats plan to let a federal abstinence-education program die quietly next month, demonstrating that pursuit of their legislative agenda can sometimes be passive.The authorization for Title V abstinence-education grants expires at the end of June, and those on both sides of the sex-education debate agree that the $50 million-a-year mandatory-spending program — which draws an additional $37.5 million match from the states — stands little chance of winning an extension from a Democratic-controlled Congress.
Nothing is a done deal, so don't go breaking into song and dance just yet. But jeez, this put in me in one hell of a good mood this morning! (On the downside, there will probably be less "glass hymen" jokes in my future. Damn.)
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*does a small, cheerful jig anyway* Woo!
A question for people who know more about this than I: how will this affect sex-ed in schools, besides hopefully killing the push for Abstinence-Only? Is anyone trying to get similar monies put forward to encourage comprehensive sex-ed? Dare I hope?
Fingers crossed!
I am not sure what happened to the normal sex ed funding. I am guessing this mess replaced it?
Maybe letting this die a quiet death will open the door for passing prevention first.
Getting that passed would have a major impact on people's lives and it is hard for politicians to reject since most people support sex ed and contraception.
FINALLY! This is great news! I hope it happens, and I hope they pass the Prevention First and REAL acts.
Thanks so much for posting this. Here in Ohio, Gov. Strickland eliminated the $500K for the drawdown but the GOP-controlled Ohio legislature re-inserted it. With the likelihood of the elimination of the federal money, there's no excuse to waste that budget allocation to a drawdown that won't be coming. I've posted about it here, urging that the money be re-allocated now, and not lost in the budget bill shuffle. Thanks.
. . .demonstrating that pursuit of their legislative agenda can sometimes be passive.
Probably an unrealistic hope, but I would love to see a more active Democratic position on sex education, which was truly innovative in encouraging kids to develop a healthy sexual awareness and responsible sexual practices.