Support The Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Responsibility, and Opportunity Act

Today, May 2, is the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, and it marks the ideal time to acknowledge that President Bush's "abstinence-only" programs just aren't working.

A recent independent report underscored what you and I have known all along - that "abstinence-only" programs don't work. The report found that students in "abstinence-only" programs are NOT more likely to abstain from sex or delay when they become sexually active. Yet anti-choice politicians in Washington have spent $1 billion in taxpayer dollars on a plan that fails to make the grade.

And we all know that no matter how many reports document this failing ideology forced onto our nation's youth, Bu$h and his croonies repeatedly deny their findings and continue to fund an inefficient and dangerous program.

What now then? Luckily, we've got another option. Sen. Robert Menendez and Rep. Steve Rothman (both D-NJ) have reintroduced the Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Responsibility, and Opportunity Act to help schools and community groups set up programs that encourage teens to delay sexual activity and help parents communicate with their children about sex. Click here to ask your members of Congress to cosponsor this legislation to empower families!

The facts about teen pregnancy don't lie:

• The United States has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the Western industrialized world.
  
• One out of every three young women in America becomes pregnant before she reaches the age of 20.
  
• Each year, 750,000 young women become pregnant.
  
• Eight out of 10 of these pregnancies are unintended and nearly one-third end in abortion.

It boggles my mind that, despite the evidence, President Bush wants to throw more of our tax dollars at a failing initiative. Let's do what is right for teens and their families.

Let's give our teens a better, commonsense option - contact your members of Congress today!