Phil Gingrey: “Madam - ?? Chairman, I rise today in opposition to the Davis amendment, which authorizes military doctors to perform…”

“Madam - ?? Chairman, I rise today in opposition to the Davis amendment, which authorizes military doctors to perform abortions at military overseas hospitals. This policy was rejected every year for the last 10 years, and I look forward once more to voting against it. Current law was signed by President Clinton in 1996 and bans the use of military facilities for abortions except in the case of incest, rape or where the life of the mother is at risk. Rest assured, women in the military do have access to the elective medical procedures they want. Therefore, this debate is not about a woman's right to obtain treatment. This debate is about maintaining the principal mission of military medical centers to heal and to protect human life. Madam Chair, this amendment overturns this mission and turns these facilities into abortion clinics at the American taxpayer's expense. I, for one, will not support the use of Federal funds or military hospitals to promote or to perform abortions.”