Joe Pitts: “on February 10, 1996, the National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law by President Clinton with the provision…”

“on February 10, 1996, the National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law by President Clinton with the provision to prevent DOD medical treatment facilities from being used to perform abortions, except where the life of the mother was in danger or in the case of rape or incest. The provision reversed a Clinton Administration policy that was instituted on January 22, 1993, permitting abortions to be performed at military facilities. The Sanchez amendment, which would repeal the pro-life provision, reopens this issue and attempts to turn DOD medical treatment facilities into abortion clinics. The House rejected this same amendment last year. We rejected it in committee this year. We should reject it again today. When the 1993 policy permitting abortions in military facilities was first promulgated, all military physicians refused to perform or assist in elective abortions. In response, the administration sought to hire civilians to do abortions. Therefore, if the Sanchez amendment were adopted, not only would taxpayer-funded facilities be used to support abortion on demand, resources would be used to search for, hire and transport new personnel simply so that abortions could be performed. Military treatment facilities, which are dedicated to healing and nurturing life, should not be forced to facilitate the taking of the most innocent of human life, the child in the womb. I urge Members to maintain current law and vote ``no'' on the Sanchez amendment.”