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Press Release Archive
July 8, 2004
House Adopts Akin Amendment
Prohibits Funding to Organizations that Promote Prostitution
Washington D.C.- Today the United States House of Representatives approved an amendment by Congressman Todd Akin that prohibits the use of certain Federal Funding by organizations that promote prostitution. In the past, it has been reported that groups actively promoting prostitution on their websites have received US tax dollars through federal grants to help fight HIV/AIDS. Akin's amendment to the FY 2005 Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Act (H.R. 4754) passed handily by a vote of 306 to 113.
"This measure helps ensure that taxpayer dollars only go to organizations that oppose prostitution and sex-trafficking. That's a positive step that will help protect women and children in developing countries from lives of prostitution and sexual slavery," said Akin.
"The President has made it clear that sex trafficking is 'a special evil in the abuse and exploitation of the most innocent and vulnerable,' and it should be clear that as a nation we do not condone this abuse of women and children," said Akin.
TEXT OF THE PUBLIC LAW REFERENCED IN THE AMENDMENT:
The United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-25 Section 301(e) and (f)) reads:
SEC. 301. ASSISTANCE TO COMBAT HIV/AIDS.
(e) Limitation.--No funds made available to carry out this Act, or any amendment made by this Act, may be used to promote or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution or sex trafficking. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed to preclude the provision to individuals of palliative care, treatment, or post-exposure pharmaceutical prophylaxis, and necessary pharmaceuticals and commodities, including test kits, condoms, and, when proven effective, microbicides.
(f) Limitation.--No funds made available to carry out this Act, or any amendment made by this Act, may be used to provide assistance to any group or organization that does not have a policy explicitly opposing prostitution and sex trafficking.
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