Despite Republican Opposition, Sex-Research Receives Funding

After serious consideration and debate to limit funding for projects by the National Institute of Health (NIH) to study sexual behaviors, sexual arousal, and sexual dysfunction, an appropriations bill for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) passed the House granting the NIH $27 billion for fiscal 2004. In a statement written to the NIH, Republicans commented, "With the current state of the economy and government deficits, federal funds must be spent responsibly."

Rep. Patrick Toomey (R-PA) introduced an amendment to cut funding for five NIH grants. The amendment was defeated by a vote of 212to 210. "The important work of NIH ought to focus, as it usually does, on finding cures for the innumerable devastating illnesses affecting Americans," Rep. Toomey said.

NIH officials said in a statement last week that "this research will rely on careful laboratory measurements to gain an understanding of how mood and desire interact to compromise sound decision making regarding sexual behavior." "The study results will be useful for designing programs to encourage abstinence among teens and to help individuals avoid risky activity that increases their chances of acquiring HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases."

The issue is now in the Senate where an amendment similar to that in the House is expected to be proposed.

D.C. School Vouchers Move Closer to Implementation

The House Government Reform Committee passed a bill on Tuesday to create a private school voucher program for Washington's public school students after a vigorous debate concerning reform. The bill was approved by the measure 22 to 21.

Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA) sponsored the bill, which would authorize the appropriation of $15 million annually for five years to fund vouchers of up to $7,500 for about 2,000 low-income children to attend private schools. D.C. public schools enroll about 67,500 students and the public charter schools about 11,600. An additional 14,000 students attend private schools at tuitions that range from $3,500 for conventional elementary schools to $20,000 for elite secondary schools.

President Bush has been attempting to have school vouchers put in place in Washington D.C. for many years stating, "We cannot have a two-tiered education system in America- one tier for those who can afford a certain type of school and one tier for those who can't,". Critics denounce the bill saying it will only further damage an already weak public school system. Many see school vouchers in D.C. as an experiment that could filter into the rest of the nation if successful.

Another Judge nomination Faces Delay in Voting

On Thursday, a new clash broke out during the confirmation process for yet another of President Bush's nominees to the federal courts. In the Senate Judiciary Committee meetings, the nomination of Alabama Attorney General William H. Pryor to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was challenged by an internal committee investigation into claims that Mr. Pryor lied to the committee.

Mr. Pryor earlier testimony if front of the committee, that he had no knowledge of political funds raised in his name from companies that had business before his Attorney General's Office contradicted, contradicted what came in a stack of documents delivered to the committee earlier this month suggesting otherwise. "The documents do not identify precisely which attorneys general raised how much money from which companies. However, it is apparent that the group raised money from companies that could fall under the regulatory purview of state attorneys general offices around the country."

The question is whether he told the truth to this committee and his vocal opposition to abortion is being emphasized by Democrats. The Judiciary panel already had postponed voting on his nomination three times.

Mr. Pryor appears universally opposed by Democrats and has been supported by all but one committee Republican, Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, who remains undecided.