Move to Scrap Dornan’s Ban on Military Abortions Falls Short

WASHINGTON â€”  Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove) was able to beat back an attempt by House lawmakers Tuesday to kill his provision banning abortions in overseas military hospitals.

But lawmakers indicated they are planning another attempt to scrap it and other social policy issues, which were included in the 1997 Defense Authorization bill.

Dornan, chairman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, defeated earlier attempts to strike the social issues, including repeal of President Clinton’s “don’t ask, don’t tell� policy for gays in the military, discharge of military service members who test positive for HIV and a ban on sale or rental of pornographic material on military bases.

Dornan took to the House floor Tuesday evening to complain that media attention given to the social policy was overshadowing other personnel items included in the defense bill such as a 3% military pay raise.

“I’ve taken a lot of heat in the press for what I’ve tried to do about the culture of degradation in our society,� he said. “I haven’t had a chance talk about quality of life issues.�

During debate on the bill, which is expected to continue in the House today, lawmakers voted 191 to 226 against a move by Rep. Jane Harman (R-Rolling Hills), Rep. Peter Torkildsen (R-Mass.) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) to drop the abortion ban. The measure was put into effect a year ago.

“We’re asking military women to park their constitutional rights at the water’s edge,� DeLauro said.

Harman added that the ban forces women to leave their base for an abortion.

“The delay and risks constitute an undo burden on a woman’s right to choose. The courts have ruled this would contravene Roe vs. Wade, which legalized abortion,� she said.

Dornan said reversing the law would promote “a culture of death.� Backing Dornan, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.) said, “The purpose of our military is to save lives, not take them.�