House Blocks Votes on Amendments to Improve Military Women's Health

Washington, DC- Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, called it shameful that anti-choice congressional leaders blocked votes on two amendments to the Defense Authorization Act that would improve health services for military women - including those who are survivors of sexual violence.

The Rules Committee blocked the House from considering the two following amendments:

• Reps. Mike Michaud (D-ME) and Tim Ryan (D-OH), both of whom oppose legal abortion, asked to offer an amendment to ensure that emergency contraception - also known as the "morning-after" pill - is stocked and made available on every military base. This medication, if taken within days of unprotected sex – including a sexual attack, can prevent pregnancy by up to 89 percent.
  
• Reps. Chris Shays (R-CT) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) wanted to offer an amendment allowing federally funded abortion care for military women who are rape or incest survivors.

"It's outrageous that the anti-choice House leadership would continue to deny lawmakers a chance to vote on these commonsense, common-ground proposals that would improve our servicewomen's access to health care on military facilities. 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," Keenan said. "Voters will remember that this anti-choice Congress caves in to the far-right at the expense of women's health. The only way to secure better treatment for women in the military is ending the anti-choice groups' grip on Congress."

This is the second consecutive year that the House Rules Committee denied their fellow lawmakers the opportunity to consider these two amendments, despite the alarming statistics of sexual assault in the military. Last year, there were 2,374 reported cases of sexual assault among servicemembers – a 40 percent increase from 2004. In the Army alone, the number of reported rape cases rose from 356 in 1999 to 469 in 2003.

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 supported the Davis-Harman amendment, which failed yesterday by a vote of 191 to 237.

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032