On May 15, the House Education and the Workforce Committee approved legislation (H.R. 1925) that would give more money to programs aiding runaway and homeless children. The Runaway, Homeless, and Missing Children’s Protection Act passed the committee by voice vote; it was approved by the Subcommittee on Select Education on May 7 (see The Source, 5/9/03).
The most heated debate centered around two amendments offered by Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO). The first amendment would have barred the use of federal funds for the distribution of sterile needles and syringes, while the second amendment would have barred the distribution of contraceptives purchased with federal dollars.
The first amendment passed on a voice vote, though many Democrats were opposed, arguing that clean needles could help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Current law already prohibits the use of federal funds for needles and syringes.
“The last thing we need to do for a homeless child is to enable them to continue injection of an illegal drug into their body,” said Rep. Musgrave.
The second amendment on contraceptives was defeated, 12-29, with seven Republicans joining all 22 Democrats in opposition.
“Restricting access to contraception only serves to further jeopardize the health of these most vulnerable youth by putting them at increased risk of pregnancy and STD infection,” said Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ).
Rep. Grijalva offered an amendment that would make testing for sexually transmitted diseases available to runaway and homeless youth. The amendment passed by voice vote. Rep. Grijalva withdrew another amendment that would have authorized $50 million each year for health care for homeless and runaway children, after bill sponsor Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA) pointed out that those children are already covered by Medicaid.
“With this bill, we will ensure the protection of runaway and homeless youth, keeping them off the streets and away from dangerous circumstances by providing both emergency shelter programs and long-term supportive assistance,” said Education and the Workforce Committee Chair John Boehner (R-OH).
