B altimore, MD — Late yesterday afternoon, the Federal District Court in Baltimore ruled that the U.S. Health and Human Services Department’s 2017 decision to terminate grants for the highly effective Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program was unlawful, handing a major victory to Healthy Teen Network, represented by Democracy Forward Foundation, and the City of Baltimore, represented by the Baltimore City Solicitor and Democracy Forward Foundation. The Court ruled that the action by HHS was arbitrary, capricious and contrary to law.

As has been reported, in terminating the grants, newly appointed political aides overruled career officials, boxing them out of the process and telling them to “get in line.”

“This is a major victory for the rule of law and evidence-based policymaking, as well as a victory for the young people of Baltimore who need more access to education, not less,” said Mayor Catherine Pugh of Baltimore.

The Trump Administration cannot break the law to put ideology ahead of effective, evidence-based policymaking.

“This ruling is a victory for the youth of Baltimore City. It means that 20,000 students in our city will continue to receive evidence-based education, giving our young people the chance for improved health, educational attainment and economic opportunities,” said Dr. Leana Wen, Baltimore City Health Commissioner.“By following science and evidence, Baltimore has made significant progress in reducing teen birth rates, and we look forward to continuing to fulfill our responsibility of protecting the health and ensuring the well-being of our youth.”

“For the third time in a week, a court ruled that the Trump Administration cannot break the law to put ideology ahead of effective, evidence-based policymaking,” said Healthy Teen Network President Dr. Patricia Paluzzi.

“We are proud to have succeeded in blocking this unlawful action by the Department of Health and Human Services and we will remain vigilant to ensure that HHS follows the law,” said Anne Harkavy, Executive Director of Democracy Forward Foundation.