Many U.S. citizens are currently serving around the world to protect the United States and defend the fundamental rights and freedoms embodied in the Constitution. The U.S. Constitution protects the right of the individual – not government – to make decisions concerning his or her own body, including decisions as personal as whether or not to carry a pregnancy to term. Yet women who serve in the military and female dependents of men serving are being refused their constitutional right to an abortion in U.S. military hospitals, even if they use their own money to pay for the procedure. This is a violation of these women's Constitutional rights, the very rights they are fighting to defend. Members of Congress have repeatedly tried to repeal the ban on abortion in the military. For more information on the latest attempts by pro-choice members of both the House and Senate to repeal this harmful and discriminatory ban please see the following links.
In the extensive Appropriations process for 2005, the prohibition against servicewomen and military dependents stationed abroad from obtaining privately funded abortions remained in place. The Senate and House Armed Services Committees both ushered the bill out without any attempts to overturn the ban. Representative Susan Davis (D-CA) added an amendment during floor debate, but was defeated 202-221.
Download the Center's letter to Senator Barbara Boxer.
Related press releases:
5/14/03 - Congress Urged to Lift Ban on Abortions at Military Facilities Abroad
6/18/02 - Center Expert Contact Regarding Abortion in the Military Bill Before Congress
Factsheet:
Penalized For Serving Their Country
Reproductive Freedom News:
Senate Overturns Ban on Abortion in the Military
Letters to the Hill:
Letter from Lieutenant General Claudia J. Kennedy to Senate on Abortion Ban for Women in the Military
Letter to Members of the House of Representatives Urging Support to an Amendment which would Overturn the Ban on Privately Funded Abortions in the Military
Letter Sent from Members of Congress Urging Repeal of Ban on Abortion in Military
