After several weeks of debate, the Senate on October 2 unanimously approved, 99-0, the FY2002 defense authorization bill (S. 1438), sending the measure to conference. The House passed its version of the measure (H.R. 2586) on September 25 (see The Source, 9/26/01).
Both bills maintain current law with respect to abortion policy. Under current law, the Department of Defense (DoD) covers abortions in domestic and overseas military facilities only if the life of the pregnant woman is endangered. Military personnel and their dependents serving abroad are prohibited from obtaining privately funded abortions at military facilities except in cases of rape or incest.
Both bills also would extend the Domestic Violence Task Force until April 24, 2003. The Senate bill would require the Comptroller General to study the adequacy and quality of health care, including reproductive health care services, for women in the military. S. 1438 would make permanent the DoD Mentor-Protégé Program, which provides incentives for DoD contractors to give assistance to small businesses so that they are able to perform as subcontractors. Small businesses eligible for the program include disadvantaged small businesses and women-owned or controlled small businesses.
