President Obama’s final budget kills the government’s teen abstinence program funding, says a group that promotes sex education in schools.
However, according to the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S., which analyzed the president’s budget, the administration has proposed spending $4 million for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program. That program provides grants to “reduce teen pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and risky sexual behavior among adolescents.”
Jesseca Boyer, CEO of the Sexuality Information and Education Council, cheered the end of the abstinence program.
“SIECUS is grateful for President Obama’s leadership in seeking to end abstinence-only-until-marriage funding once and for all. After three decades and nearly $2 billion in federal spending wasted on this failed approach, the president’s proposed budget increases support programs and efforts that seek to equip young people with the skills they need to ensure their lifelong sexual health and well-being,” she said in a statement.
“SIECUS also applauds the president’s proposed $4 million increase for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, helping communities implement evidence-informed and innovative strategies to support the sexual health of our nation’s youth,” she said.
She added that the administration has a “commitment to secure the right to quality sexuality education for young people.”
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
