Rep. Pitts: Abstinence study is merely a “partisan attack”
Washington-Congressman Joe Pitts (R, PA-16) today sent the following letter to the Editor of the Washington Post regarding an ideologically-charged report on federally-funded abstinence education programs.
Dear Editor:
I am disappointed that your paper would confuse Congressman Henry Waxman’s ideologically-driven report on federally funded abstinence education programs [“Some Abstinence Programs Mislead Teens, Report Says,” Dec. 2] with a serious examination of their effectiveness.
This report was prepared at taxpayer expense by partisan committee staff and was not reviewed in any hearings or publicly discussed with experts in abstinence education. Instead, Mr. Waxman took advantage of a slow news cycle to pass off his ideological attack as a legitimate congressional study. This type of misleading public relations tactic abuses taxpayer funds and distracts from the underlying fact that abstinence is the only 100 percent effective means of preventing sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy.
Federally-funded abstinence education programs are held to the strictest standards. The curricula used to educate our youth are meticulously researched and confirmed by reputable sources. By blasting abstinence education, Mr. Waxman puts at great risk so many of our youth who deserve to hear the hopeful and empowering message of abstinence education.
Additionally, polls show that parents want these programs. They want schools and the government to assist them in encouraging their kids to make positive and healthy life choices. If asked to side with partisan committee staff or parents, I’d choose parents every time.
This partisan committee staff report should be received with great skepticism. I’m disappointed that the Washington Post was so naïve as to take this partisan study on face value.
Sincerely,
Joe Pitts