Susan Davis: “in his first appearance as our Commander in Chief, President Bush told servicemembers at Fort Stewart, you deserve a…”

“in his first appearance as our Commander in Chief, President Bush told servicemembers at Fort Stewart, you deserve a military that treats you and your families with respect. Well, I couldn't agree more. Today we are considering how the defense bill can demonstrate our respect for the people who serve in uniform by providing for their equipment, their training and their well-being. Together with my colleagues today, I am offering an amendment to lift the current ban on abortion services in overseas military hospitals. Under current law, women serving our country overseas have to return home to the U.S. for medical services after obtaining permission from their commanding officer and finding space on military transport. Their only other option is venturing out to a hospital in a foreign country. Madam Chair, I believe we can do better. I would just like to clarify a few points about this amendment. No Federal funds would be used for those procedures. Women would use their own funds, and that would include overhead costs as well, for overhead costs. This amendment affects only U.S. military facilities overseas in countries where abortion is legal, and it also observes the refusal clauses and will not force providers to perform abortions. Madam Chair, women serving in uniform are fighting to protect our freedom and our rights. Yet these women do not receive the protection of the Constitution they so ably defend.…”