"The United Nations Children's Fund estimates that 60 million girls in developing countries between the ages of 20 and 24 were married before they reached the age of 18.  Experts estimate that the number will increase by 100 million over the next decade if current trends continue. Child marriage is often carried out through force or coercion.  In some countries, it is not uncommon for girls as young as seven or eight years old to be married.  Marriage at an early age puts girls at greater risk of dying as a result of childbirth.  Pregnancy and childbirth complications are the leading cause of death for women 15 to 19 years old in developing countries.

Some Members may be concerned that Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen sought changes in the text of S. 987, but, those were not accepted by the Democrat Majority.  Rep. Ros-Lehtinen has introduced those provisions as a stand-alone bill.  CBO estimates that the Ros-Lehtinen bill (H.R. 6521) would cost no more than $1 million in outlays over five years, while S. 987, as passed by the Senate, would cost an estimated $67 Million in outlays over five years.  H.R. 6521, while removing the language in S. 987 that would create the $67 million in costs, would  nevertheless provide for: (a) Sense of the Congress statements that child marriage is a violation of human rights and that its prevention should be a goal of US foreign policy; (b) a requirement for a multi-year strategy to prevent child marriage in developing countries; (c) a requirement for a subsequent report on the strategy, including an assessment of current US efforts to prevent child marriage; and (d) inclusion of reporting on practices of child marriage in annual Human Rights reports and reports by the Secretary of State on countries that are proposed recipients of US security assistance.

What happened?  As the Post blog reported: "In the hours before the vote, Republicans circulated a memo to pro-life members of Congress alleging that the bill could fund abortions and use child marriage 'to overturn pro-life laws.' It also reiterated concerns over the bill's cost. When it came time for a vote, a number of the bill's pro-life supporters in both parties abandoned ship. Even co-sponsors of the corresponding House bill (H.R. 2103), like Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) and Lee Terry (R-Neb.), voted against it."  In reality, the bill CAN'T provide funding for abortions; it's not an appropriations bill.  Here's the COMPLETE ROLL CALL breaking down who voted Yes or No on the bill.

This was simply supposed to empower the lives of young girls around the world - the key to economic development, democracy, justice.  Take three minutes to see this simple video from The Girl Effect, to illustrate how important it is to protect girls everywhere.  Then tell your Representatives "Shame on You" - before they're home for the warm, safe, sparkly holidays.