HOW BAD PROVISIONS GET PASSED. Several bloggers (including TAPPED's own Ann Friedman) have discussed the dismal fact that Congress is proposing an increase in funding for useless abstinence-only sex ed. programs. According to a (subscribers-only) Congressional Quarterly report, the increase in funding was part of a deal to obtain leverage to fund other domestic priorities (including a commensurate increase in funding for Planned Parenthood). This compromise is defensible, assuming the final version does secure the other funding, but remains depressing. It will be worth keeping a careful eye on what finally emerges from the legislative sausage factory.
--Scott Lemieux