NARAL Pro-Choice America Urges Sen. Frist to Allow Vote on Commonsense Bill to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

Washington, DC – Today, NARAL Pro-Choice America, in recognition of the fourth annual National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, urged Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to allow a vote on Sen. Robert Menendez's (D-NJ) commonsense legislation that includes a series of proposals to help prevent teen pregnancy and protect the health and well-being of young people.

Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said Sen. Menendez's Comprehensive Teen Pregnancy Prevention Act gives Congress an opportunity to responsibly address America's challenge of high teen pregnancy rates.

"As a former teacher and state superintendent of education, I understand how important it is that young people receive honest, medically accurate sex education. These principles are reflected in Sen. Menendez's bill and Congress should pass it," Keenan said. "The United States has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the Western industrialized world. But it doesn't have to stay that way. Sen. Menendez has outlined constructive solutions to engage teens, their parents, and schools in the common goals of improving young people's self esteem and preventing teen pregnancies."

Sen. Menendez stressed the importance of after-school programs and partnerships with community-based organizations.

"We need to provide opportunity and education for young people to help prevent teen pregnancy in the first place, and my bill will take an important step by increasing access to after-school programs as well as partnerships with faith-based and other community organizations," Sen. Menendez said.  

The Menendez bill would create a new teen pregnancy prevention grant program for local educational agencies, state and local health agencies, and non-profit private entities. 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