Cheerleading 'leads to teen pregnancies'

SEXY cheerleading could be banned in Texas in favour of more reserved performances under a new bill approved by state politicians.

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 overtly sexual performances and we applaud them and that’s not right," said the Democratic representative Al Edwards, who put forward the legislation. He said bawdy performances resulted in teenage pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

The bill passed on a 65-56 vote. It still must be approved by the state Senate.

One critic questioned the legislation’s priorities. "How is this bill advancing the agenda of the people?" asked the Democratic representative Senfronia Thompson.