SHAHEEN AMENDMENT INCLUDED IN FINAL DEFENSE BILL

(Washington, D.C.) – Congressional conferees have approved a repeal of a policy in place since 1981 that denied women in the military coverage for abortion in cases of rape or incest. An effort led by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) will put Department of Defense rules in line with other federal policies and ensure that women in uniform receive the same reproductive rights as the civilians they protect.

“With the inclusion of my amendment in the final defense bill, we’ve made an important step to restoring equity to military service women,” said Shaheen.  “After three decades of a policy that discriminated against women who put their lives on the line for us, I’m proud of my colleagues in both Houses of Congress and of both parties who are going to allow us to right this wrong.  Also, I am grateful for the coalition of organizations that helped make this day happen, from retired military officers to women’s health advocates, that never stopped fighting for our military service women.”