ACLU Seeks USAID Documents On Funding of Abstinence Programs Overseas

The ACLU announced yesterday that it has filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit seeking documents from the U.S. Agency for International Development relating to USAID's funding of some abstinence-only-until-marriage programs overseas that reflect a religious perspective. The complaint (full text) in ACLU v. U.S. Agency for International Development, (SD NY, filed 2/18/2010) follows up on a report (full text) issued last year by USAID's Inspector General. It seeks documents to properly understand whether USAID is properly monitoring grantees to assure that federal funds are not being spent on religious activities in violation of the Establishment Clause. (See prior related posting.)