The Rules Committee blocked the two following amendments:

• Representative Mike Michaud (D-ME), who opposes abortion, asked to offer an amendment to ensure that emergency contraception - also known as the "morning-after pill"- is available to victims of sexual assault at every military base. This medication, if taken within days of a sexual attack, can prevent pregnancy.
• Representatives Chris Shays (R-CT) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) wanted to offer an amendment allowing federally funded abortion care for military women who have suffered rape or incest.

The refusal to consider these amendments comes on the heels of recent military reports that show there were 1,275 cases of sexual assault among servicemembers reported to military criminal investigators last year – a 25 percent increase from 2003, and 41 percent over the 2002 figure. In the Army alone, the number of reported rape cases rose from 356 in 1999 to 469 in 2003.

"It’s outrageous that House leaders would deny servicewomen better access to health care on military facilities, especially to the growing number of women who are sexually assaulted. Women serving our country should never have to face the tragedy of a sexual assault, but if they do, they should – at a minimum – be able to receive timely care and support," said Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. "Tom DeLay and House Republican leaders must explain to the American public why they are afraid of allowing up-or-down votes on ways to improve health services for military women - including women who are sexually assaulted while serving their country."

The committee agreed to allow an amendment by Reps. Susan Davis (D-CA) and Jane Harman (D-CA) to repeal the current-law ban that forbids servicewomen and female military dependents from using their own funds for abortion care at overseas military hospitals. NARAL Pro-Choice America strongly supports the Davis-Harman amendment.