Abstinence Education Funding Amendment Killed

As reported by Chris Freund, VP of the Family Founddation of Virginia, late last week an amendment to the Senate budget to reinstate funding for abstinence education programs failed by one vote.

The effort to include the money in the budget became necessary after Governor Tim Kaine removed funding for abstinence programs late last year. Planned Parenthood had lobbied for months to get this money removed from the budget as part of its national effort to eliminate abstinence education.

On Thursday, Senator Ken Cuccinelli (R-37, Centreville) offered amendments on the floor of the Senate that would have put nearly $300,000 in funding back in the state budget for abstinence programs. After Senator Cuccinelli offered facts from several published studies, including one specific to Virginia abstinence programs, that proved the effectiveness of abstinence education, Senator George Barker (D-39, Alexandrai) stood up and, completely ignoring Senator Cuccinelli’s facts, said there is no evidence abstinence education works!

The Senate then put on their blinders and defeated the amendment by one vote, 20-19.

Interestingly, one Senator intentionally left the chamber to avoid the vote – Chuck Colgan (D-29, Manassas). During his recent reelection campaign Senator Colgan publicly claimed support for abstinence education. Senator Colgan’s campaign opponent, Bob FitzSimmonds, is an abstinence educator in Prince William County. However, when the time came to fulfill his campaign promise, Colgan left the room.

It is unfortunate that legislators often abdicate their responsibility as Senator Colgan did. Had he voted as he said he would during his campaign, the 20-20 vote would have been broken by Lt. Governor Bill Bolling – who supports reinstating the funding.

For more information, visit the Family Foundation of Virginia website.