NCJW Welcomes Provisions of Omnibus Spending Bill Signed by President
December 17, 2009, Washington, DC -- The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) welcomed provisions in the omnibus spending bill approved by Congress and signed yesterday by President Obama. The bill, which funds many agencies for fiscal year 2010, includes several important provisions long-sought by NCJW. NCJW President Nancy Ratzan released the following statement:
"NCJW is pleased with provisions in the omnibus spending bill signed by the President yesterday which reverse some of the more egregious policies of the past decade. The bill ends a ban on allowing the District of Columbia to use its own locally raised taxpayer funds to cover abortion services. It also lifts a ban on the use of federal funds for syringe/needle exchange to prevent the spread of HIV-AIDS. In addition, it eliminates all existing funding for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, which have proved ineffective and dangerous – all too often promoting one religious view of sexual and reproductive health.
"The bill also creates a new evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention initiative, to be funded at $114 million and implemented by the newly authorized Office of Adolescent Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. With our coalition partners, NCJW will continue to work with the Obama administration to ensure that both teen pregnancy and disease prevention programs will be prioritized under this new initiative.
"Importantly, the bill contains new money to reduce domestic violence. Funds to implement the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act and funding for programs funded through the Violence Against Women Act increased over FY 2009. In view of state cuts to family violence programs, these new funds are absolutely critical.
"International family planning programs also saw an increase. NCJW is pleased that under the bill, the US will up its contribution to the UN Population Fund for its program of family planning, HIV-AIDS prevention, and poverty reduction, among other goals."
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.
Contact:
Emily Alfano
202 296 2588 x5; emily@ncjwdc.org