I worry that there aren't enough sophisticated medical professionals with gynecological training in the military.

I encourage our colleagues on the Judiciary Committee to do so and to have an open debate on this issue that impacts our brave men and women who serve this great Nation.

I hope there is no debate about the need for enshrining in the Constitution a clear and firm statement guaranteeing women equal rights under the law.

These repeated failures, which occurred at military medical treatment facilities all around the world, indicate systemic problems within the military healthcare system.

Feres is the product of judicial activism and Congress' silence.

I wonder, Madam Chair, what it says about our military medical system that it is so bad that we have to actually shield it, that it could cost multiple billions of dollars to fully allow tort claims, you know, which I think should scare us…

This has got to be fixed.

I think we have struggled for a long time on the issue of widowhood and the compensation issue, and it is one that has to be fixed.

There is no justification for this Court to read exemptions into the act beyond those provided by Congress. If the act is to be altered, then it is a function for the same body that adopted it.

I thank the witnesses for their participation including my colleagues, the gentlewoman from California, Ms. Speier, and the gentlewoman from New York, Ms. Maloney, who have both been champions for the ERA.

They should be able to seek out a civilian provider who has that.

Let me clarify for everyone that this committee has full jurisdiction over the quality of medical health care in the military, and that is why we are having this hearing.