Bush's Budget Calls for Huge Increase in
Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Funds
President Requests $27.7 Million Increase for Community-Based Abstinence Education Grants
New York, NY – Today, President Bush submitted his budget for the 2009 Fiscal Year to Congress. His request included $141 million in funding for Community-Based Abstinence Education (CBAE) grants, an increase of $27.7 million from this year. CBAE, which is already the largest federal funding stream for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, provides grants that are paid directly to community organizations by the federal government. In total, the president asked for $204 million abstinence-only-until-marriage funds; $141 million for CBAE, $50 million for Title V abstinence-only funding, and $13 million for the Adolescent Family Life Act.
“This proposed increase is the swan song of the Bush administration’s failed abstinence-only-until-marriage policy,” said William Smith, vice president for public policy at the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS). “They know they’re on their way out, so no one can hold them accountable for continuing to champion this absurd waste of money.”
In Fiscal Year 2008, the president’s budget request included an identical increase for CBAE funding. The House of Representatives adopted the funding level at the increased amount, while the Senate decreased funding by the same level. After months of politicking, Congress passed the Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus in December, keeping CBAE’s funding at the same level as it was in the prior year.
“2007 was a year when these programs were held up to closer scrutiny, and they failed miserably,” continued Smith. “16 states have now rejected federal funds for abstinence-only-until-marriage programming, and study after study shows that these programs don’t work. This request reveals how out of touch the administration is with the rest of the country. We sincerely hope that Congress has the courage to stand up to the Bush Administration and say, loudly and clearly, ‘No more money.’”
CBAE is one of three federal funding streams for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. Combined, these revenue sources have given more than $1.5 billion in federal funds to abstinence-only-until-marriage programs since their inception.
Please contact Patrick Malone with any questions or comments at (212)819-9770 ext. 316 or pmalone@siecus.org and visit www.nomoremoney.org to learn more about funding for failed abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.
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