Trump Administration Unlawfully Terminated Grants Awarded for Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs, Court Holds
April 19, 2018
Trump Administration Unlawfully Terminated Grants Awarded for Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs, Court Holds
Statement of Sean Sherman, Attorney, Public Citizen Litigation Group
Note: In February 2018, four grant recipients represented by lawyers at Public Citizen Litigation Group sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for terminating five-year grants that HHS awarded to them in 2015 under the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPPP). This morning, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia agreed with the grantees and held that HHS’ early termination of the grants was unlawful.
The court’s decision today is a rebuke of the Trump administration’s effort to kill a program that is working effectively to lower teen pregnancy rates. Because of the court’s ruling, the four grantees will be able to continue to serve their local communities and to conduct important research.
The court’s decision confirms that HHS must administer the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program in accordance with the agency’s own regulations and the requirement of reasoned decision-making.
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