Pete Sessions: “I do not think the Senator, who is a great colleague, would dispute the fact that language resulted in the failure of…”

“I do not think the Senator, who is a great colleague, would dispute the fact that language resulted in the failure of that bill. People care about this issue. It is a big deal to people. It is a personal and emotional issue that I don't think needs to be pressed at this point. Our military physicians and nurses are not happy with it. It would require us to utilize military hospitals as facilities to carry out abortions. It would make our hospitals a part of the abortion process. It would utilize Federal property and resources to that degree. It covers not just foreign hospitals but every hospital in America. Yes, it is legal--clearly legal--that a woman can have an abortion and can use her own money to that effect, but we have sort of reached an understanding and compromise in the Congress that it is legal but because of respect for people with differing views, we just will not use taxpayers' money to fund it. There is just sort of a truce, in a way, that has been reached. I think it is probably something we just have to live with at the present time. I don't see any need to pressure or embarrass doctors and nurses who do not feel comfortable doing this. We know this. There was a survey done of the Army, Navy, and Air Force obstetricians; 44 of them were surveyed. All but one said they adamantly opposed doing abortions. One later said that physician was opposed to abortions. Some of these were women physicians. Nurses are not comfortable with it.”