Shaheen Amendment to DOD Bill Would Allow Abortion Funding and Expand Abortion Services

By Lisa Correnti | November 30, 2011

Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) has filed two amendments (1120 and 1121) to S.1867, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which is set to be up for a vote on the Senate floor this week. If passed these amendments would expand access to abortions with DOD funds and DOD facilities. Amendment 1120 would allow DOD funds to be used to pay for abortions in the case of rape or incest. Amendment 1121 would rescind the provision currently prohibiting use of DOD facilities to perform abortions therefore allowing military clinics to be used for any elective abortion.

The Department of Defense currently does not allow abortions to be performed by medical personnel or in medical facilities except when the life of the mother is at risk (DOD funds and facilities may be used) or when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest (DOD facilities may be used, but private funds must be used for the abortion).

The new abortion coverage would extend beyond servicewomen to include military dependents and would include military hospitals and clinics both in the U.S. and abroad.

Pro-life advocates believe this to be a political “gotcha” vote to expand taxpayer funding of abortion. It is the initial step in ultimately allowing unrestricted taxpayer funded abortions for all servicewomen and their dependents in military facilities. This is evident in Sen. Shaheen’s second amendment which further expands access to abortion by permitting elective abortions in military facilities with private dollars. Cosponsors of both amendments are staunch pro-abortion rights Senators Gillibrand, Boxer, Lautenberg, and Murray.

Senator Reid has filed cloture and it is not yet known which amendments will be given a vote.

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