As Bush "Abstinence-Only" Program Gets Failing Grade, Senator Menendez Introduces Commonsense Bill to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

Washington, DC - Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America and a former teacher and Montana state education official, applauded Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) for reintroducing legislation to help prevent teen pregnancy and improve family communication.

Sen. Menendez's action comes on the heels of the release of an independent report commissioned by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that found that students in "abstinence-only" programs are not more likely to abstain from sex or delay when they become sexually active.

"As a former teacher and state superintendent of education, I have seen first hand how important it is that young people receive honest, age-appropriate information," Keenan said. "Parents should applaud Sen. Menendez, and the sponsor of the House bill, Rep. Steve Rothman, for showing leadership in addressing this important issue by introducing such a commonsense, common-ground approach that will empower families and improve teen health."

Keenan said that the Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Responsibility and Opportunity Act gives Congress an opportunity to address America's challenge of high teen-pregnancy rates in a responsible manner.

"The United States has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the Western industrialized world," Keenan said. "We need thoughtful proposals such as this one from Sen. Menendez that promotes abstinence and provides young people with the information they need to protect themselves."

The Menendez bill would create a new teen-pregnancy-prevention grant program for schools, state and local health agencies, and non-profit community groups. The initiatives would include efforts to encourage teens to delay sexual activity and help parents communicate with their children about sex. In addition, the proposal would increase funding for essential after-school programs and establish a five-year demonstration project for schools, non-profits, faith-based and community organizations to foster creative new programs to supplement existing teen-pregnancy prevention programs.

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032