Power To Decide Applauds Bipartisan Senate Bill That Funds Programs That Help Young People To Decide If, When, And Under What Circumstances To Get Pregnant

(Washington, D.C.) — Recently, in an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 85-7, the Senate passed an FY 2019 spending package that includes funding for key programs that support young people’s power to decide if, when, and under what circumstances to become pregnant. Specifically, the bi-partisan spending measure includes:

• $101 million for the evidence-based Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) Program 
• $6.8 million for evaluation of teen pregnancy prevention approaches
• $286.5 million for the Title X Family Planning Program

The Senate also defeated an amendment from Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Mike Lee (R-UT) to block funding from going to Planned Parenthood. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (I-AK) joined Senate Democrats in opposing the amendment, which was defeated 48-45. 

“We applaud the Senate’s bipartisan commitment to funding these programs that help young people to get the information and access to contraception they need to plan their futures,” said Ginny Ehrlich, CEO, Power to Decide. “We also thank the Senators who opposed an amendment that would have blocked women from seeking high quality contraceptive care at Planned Parenthood. This bill is an encouraging step in the funding process. We hope that in final spending negotiations, both chambers will maintain strong investments in the TPP Program and Title X.”