WASHINGTON \u2014 The Supreme Court struck down a federal law Thursday that forces private health organizations to denounce prostitution as a condition to get AIDS funding.<\/p>\n
Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the court, said the law\u2019s anti-prostitution pledge improperly restricts the groups\u2019 First Amendment rights.<\/p>\n
Four organizations that work in Africa, Asia and South America challenged the 2003 law, arguing their work has nothing to do with prostitution.<\/p>\n
The Obama administration argued it is reasonable for the government to give money only to groups that oppose prostitution and sex trafficking because they contribute to the spread of HIV and AIDS. It said that public money then could free up private funds that might be spent in a way that would undermine the government\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n
But the 6-2 decision said the pledge \u201cgoes beyond preventing recipients from using private funds in a way that would undermine the federal government.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt requires them to pledge allegiance to the government\u2019s policy of eradicating prostitution,\u201d he wrote. That, Roberts wrote, the government cannot do.<\/p>\n