[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 70 (Friday, May 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E971-E972]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       INTRODUCTION OF AMENDMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 14, 1999

  Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to report to my colleagues the 
actions of the House subcommittee on Military Personnel. Today I 
offered, and the subcommittee endorsed, an amendment that many of my 
colleagues will recognize as the Harman amendment.
  I am proud to continue the good work of my friend and colleague, 
Congresswoman Jane Harman. Jane was one of my mentors. I am sure my 
colleagues on the subcommittee will join me in commending Jane's 
contribution to the quality of life for our military personnel and 
their families.
  My amendment includes the identical language from the Harman 
amendment. It repeals a provision of the FY 1996 defense bill barring 
women serving overseas in the U.S. military from using their own funds 
to obtain legal abortion services in military hospitals. As the ranking 
woman Democrat on our Committee, I strongly feel that this policy must 
be overturned.

[[Page E972]]

  Women who volunteer to serve in our Armed Forces already give up many 
freedoms and risk their lives to defend our country. They should not 
have to sacrifice their privacy, their health, and their basic 
constitutional rights because of a policy with no valid military 
purpose.
  This is a health care concern. Local facilities in foreign nations 
are often not equipped to handle procedures, and medical standards may 
be far lower than those in the United States. Why are we putting our 
own soldiers at risk?
  This is a matter of fairness. Servicewoman and military dependents 
stationed abroad do not expect special treatment, they only exprect the 
right to receive the same services guaranteed to American women under 
Roe v. Wade--at their own expense.
  My amendment does not allow taxpayer-funded abortions at military 
hospitals, nor does it compel any doctor who opposes abortion on 
principle or as a matter of conscience to perform an abortion. My 
amendment reinstates the same policy that was in effect from 1973 until 
1988, and again from 1993 to 1996.
  My amendment has strong support from the House. Ninety Members--both 
Democrats and Republicans--have cosponsored my legislation to change 
this policy.
  My amendment has strong support from health care provides; the 
American Public Health Association, the American Medical Women's 
Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 
and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America have all indicated 
their support for this amendment.
  And, as you can see from the letter I`ve provided, my amendment is 
supported by the Department of Defense. If the professionals who are 
responsible for our nation's armed services support this policy change, 
why wouldn`t this Committee?
  I am pleased that my fellow colleagues on the subcommittee voted to 
endorse my amendment with bipartisan support. Repealing this unfair 
prohibition will help keep our soldiers healthy and safe.

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