NARAL Pro-Choice America Salutes Rep. Rothman on Teen Pregnancy Measure

Washington, DC- Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, today praised Rep. Steve Rothman (D-NJ) for introducing new legislation to help prevent teen pregnancy and protect the health and well-being of young people.

Keenan also renewed her challenge to anti-choice congressional leaders to allow a vote on this legislation, the Comprehensive Teen Pregnancy Prevention Act. The bill is a companion to Sen. Robert Menendez's legislation introduced earlier this year. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and House Speaker Dennis Hastert have so far refused to allow debate or votes on this issue.

"As a former teacher and state superintendent of education, I know how important it is that young people receive honest, medically accurate information. New Jersey should be proud that Representative Rothman and Senator Menendez are leading the charge in Congress on effective ways to prevent teen pregnancy," Keenan said. "This bill is a commonsense, common-ground approach that empowers families and parents."

Keenan said the Comprehensive Teen Pregnancy Prevention Act gives Congress an opportunity to responsibly address America's teen-pregnancy epidemic.

"The United States has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the Western industrialized world. It is simply inexcusable that anti-choice congressional leaders aren't doing more to address this urgent problem," Keenan said. "Americans want Congress to focus on constructive, proven ways to address this problem—and they could start by passing Rep. Rothman's bill."

The Menendez-Rothman bill would create a new teen pregnancy prevention grant program for local schools, non-profit organizations, and health departments. The programs would encourage teens to delay sexual activity and help parents communicate with their children about difficult subjects like 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