Senate Gives Title V Abstinence Education Funding Three-month Extension
As Senate business drew to a close Wednesday evening, the full Senate voted by unanimous consent to extend Title V Abstinence Education funding for three months, permitting the program to continue through September 30.
The House still needs to take similar action before June 30 if this funding is to remain in place beyond Saturday.
Action Needed:
Immediate calls to your Representatives in the House are essential. Urge them to follow the lead of the Senate to extend funding for Title V at least through September 30. The Capitol Switchboard can connect you to your member of Congress: (202) 224 3121
Next Steps
What does this mean for abstinence education? What does this mean for abstinence education advocacy efforts?
The simple answer is this — continuing contact and educational efforts to Members of Congress are vital. Even if the House follows the lead of the Senate, this three-month extension merely permits currently funded programs to finish their activities for FY2007.
Simply put, the battle to save Title V has been given a victory in an important skirmish, but the battle is far from over.
However, the effect of your efforts cannot be underestimated. If so many of you had not called and visited with your Congressional offices, I doubt we would have this good news to share! So, please know that your passion and action is being felt. Even more important, more and more members of Congress are becoming supportive of abstinence education as you educate them about the abstinence services you are providing in their home districts. The often-repeated phrase that “all politics are local” continues to be validated. So, take heart, but we can’t permit our efforts to take a summer vacation!
The next phase of strategy will be discussed during Friday’s NAEA members’ conference call.
This call is open to all NAEA members. If you would like to become a member of the NAEA please email your application (available at www.abstinenceassociation.org) to JLyman@AbstinenceAssociation.org and we will get you registered as a member and will also send you details about the conference call.
June 28, 2008