[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 128 (Friday, September 28, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1751]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2001

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill. (H.R. 2586) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2002 for military 
     activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe 
     military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2002, and for 
     other purposes:

  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Chairman, I rise in support of the Sanchez 
amendment, and I thank my colleague from California for her leadership 
on this important issue.
  Even as we speak, servicewomen are leaving the United States to take 
up their posts on ships and military bases around the world, prepared 
to join the battle against terrorism. They are joining the many 
servicewomen who are already stationed outside our country's borders.
  Madam Chairman, this amendment would allow these brave servicewomen 
the same constitutional right enjoyed by women here at home--the right 
to choose. Every servicewoman should have the option to spend her own 
funds to safely, legally terminate a pregnancy at a U.S. military 
facility overseas. The President has called upon all Americans to stand 
up for our rights and freedoms. It is time to give military women who 
are abroad the same rights as women here at home. I urge my colleagues 
to vote for the Sanchez amendment.