Legislation intended to end the practice of child marriage worldwide was defeated last week in the U.S. House by Republicans, much to the astonishment of the bill’s supporters.

 

The bipartisan International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act, sponsored by Democratic Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois and Republican Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine, would have required the government to develop an integrated, strategic approach to combating child marriage. The bill also sought to promote the educational, health, economic, social and legal empowerment of women and girls—all without new funding from federal agencies.

 

Senate Republicans had no trouble supporting the legislation, which cleared the upper house unanimously. But House Republicans refused to support it, claiming it would have cost the government more than $100 million and arguing the bill might have compromised the concerns of pro-life supporters even though there is no evidence to support either of these contentions The bill did gain a majority of votes, 241-166, but it needed a two-thirds margin to proceed to a direct vote.

 

It is estimated that 60 million girls in developing countries were married before the age of 18 in recent years.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

In "Shameful Act," Republicans Kill Bill to Prevent Child Marriage (by Jodi Jacobson, RH Reality Check)

House of Representatives Blocks Passage of Preventing Child Marriage Bill (by Ellen Marshall, Akimbo)

Child Marriage Bill Update (by Conor Williams, Washington Post)