Washington, DC — Lawmakers voted last week to reject an amendment to the Department of Defense authorization bill that would have lifted the military abortion ban.
Pro-abortion members of Congress have tried every year since 1996 to lift the prohibition, but have failed every time. However, the margin of defeat is narrowing. Last year, the amendment, offered by Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., was rejected by a margin of only 18 votes. This year, the difference was only 13 votes.
Current pro-life law prohibits the use of military facilities for abortions. The policy began as an executive order from the Bush administration in the early 1990s and eventually became law in 1996.
President Clinton signed the current provision into law because it was attached to a larger bill providing for military funding.
President Clinton allowed abortions in military facilities from 1993 to 1996 prior to Congress adopting the pro-life law. During that time, all military physicians — as well as many nurses and supporting personnel –refused to perform or assist in elective abortions. In response, the administration sought to hire a civilian to perform abortions.
“If the Sanchez amendment were adopted, not only would taxpayer funded facilities be used to support abortion on demand, but resources could be used to search for, hire, and transport new personnel simply so that abortions could be performed,” explained John Cusey of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus.
“Military treatment centers — which are dedicated to healing and nurturing life — should not be forced to facilitate the taking of the most innocent human life: the child in the womb,” Cusey said.
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(This article courtesy of Steven Ertelt and the Pro-Life Infonet email newsletter. For more information or to subscribe go to www.prolifeinfo.org or email infonet@prolifeinfo.org.)
