woot, for now!

Prepared Statement Of Chairman David R. Obey
2010 Labor-Hhs-Education Appropriations Bill
Subcommittee Markup
July 10, 2009
...
Significant Policy Provisions
As you know, this bill traditionally carries a number of “policy” riders. For the most part, this bill continues all significant funding restrictions in fiscal year 2010. For example, it continues all of the anti-abortion provisions in fiscal year 2010 without change. The bill also maintains the current prohibition on the use of funds in this bill for human embryo research. One key exception that I want to mention concerns needle exchange programs. This bill deletes the prohibition on the use of funds for needle exchange programs. Scientific studies have documented that needle exchange programs, when implemented as part of a comprehensive prevention strategy, are an effective public health intervention for reducing AIDS/HIV infections and do not promote drug use. The judgment we make in this bill is that it is time to lift this ban and let State and local jurisdictions determine if they want to pursue this approach.

full text here
reuters article here