The House approved the Omnibus Spending Bill, which combines 6 of the 7 appropriations bills for the 2010 fiscal year. The Senate is expected to vote this weekend.
In victories, we've got:
- The elimination of traditional sources of funding for failed abstinence-only programs, and the introduction of $114.5 million to fund comprehensive sexual health education programs.
- Removal of a District of Columbia prohibition, which will enable the district to use its own funds to provide abortions to low-income women. It will also ease restrictions on needle-exchange programs in DC, intended to reduce HIV transmissions.
- An increase in U.S. international family planning and reproductive health funding, to $648.5 million. An increase of more than $103 million, or 19%, over the FY 2009 level.
These are major victories for young women, low-income women and women and children worldwide! Unfortunately, language that would have permanently repealed the Global Gag Rule was struck from the bill.
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