A Senate committee on Tuesday night restored federal funds for abstinence education that President Barack Obama wanted cut.
    
Two Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee, Kent Conrad of North Dakota and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, joined 10 Republicans to pass the measure introduced by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.

The 12-11 vote designated $50 million a year in federal funding for abstinence programs around the country.

President Obama wanted to eliminate the funds for abstinence-only education in his 2010 budget in favor of broader programs to reduce teen pregnancy.
    
Hatch said abstinence programs have been shown to work.
    
The measure still has to pass the full Senate and House.

*Originally published September 30, 2009