Alaska's Governor Sarah Palin, who is now the Republican vice-presidential nominee, used her line-item veto to cut funding for programs that helped pay for shelters for unwed teenage mothers. Palin cut funding from $5 million back to $3.9 million. Shortly after it was announced that Palin was chosen as John McCain's running mate, Palin announced that her 17-year-old unmarried daughter Bristol Palin is pregnant.The Trail: Palin Slashed Funding for Teen Moms (September 3, 2008) Palin supports abstinence-only education.ABC News: Palin Daughter's Pregnancy Spurs Sex Ed Debate (September 2, 2008)
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References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Both Sarah Palin and John McCain are committed to abstinence-only education
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Sexual health experts conclude that abstinence-only education is ineffective in reducing teen pregnancyABC News: Palin Daughter's Pregnancy Spurs Sex Ed Debate (September 2, 2008)
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Experts favor comprehensive sex education including advice on how to properly use contraceptives to protect against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseasesABC News: Palin Daughter's Pregnancy Spurs Sex Ed Debate (September 2, 2008)
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Palin cut funding for a state program that helped shelter teen mothers who chose to carry their babies to termThe Trail: Palin Slashed Funding for Teen Moms (September 3, 2008)
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According to the March of Dimes, teen mothers are more likely to live in poverty than mothers over 20 years oldhttp://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1159.asp
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March of Dimes also says that about 75% of unmarried teen mothers go on welfare within five years of giving birthhttp://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1159.asp
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Fact:
Palin opposes abortion
