No more raunchy cheerleaders for Texas

TEXAS’ state House has approved a bill to restrict “overtly sexually suggestive” cheerleading to more ladylike performances.

The decision followed an alternately comic and fiery debate punctuated by several politicians waving pompons.

The bill would give the state education commissioner authority to request that school districts review high school performances.

“Girls can get out and do all of these overly sexually performances and we applaud them and that’s not right,” said Democratic Rep Al Edwards, who filed the legislation.

Edwards says bawdy performances are a distraction for students resulting in pregnancies, dropouts and the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases.

The bill passed on a 65-56 vote. It must still be approved by the Senate and signed by Republican governor Rick Perry.

But one critic criticised the legislation’s priorities.

“Have we done anything about stem cell research to help people who are dying and are sick advance their health? No,” said Democratic Rep Senfronia Thompson.

The American Civil Liberties Union said the measure was unnecessary because state law already bans public lewdness by students at or near a school. Exposed midriffs and ever shorter shorts and skirts have particularly outraged some legislators.