Senate Votes To Repeal Ban On Abortions

The Senate voted narrowly Wednesday to repeal a new law banning abortions at overseas military hospitals, a major step toward reversing a Republican initiative a year after it had been passed by Congress.

First, in a 51-45 vote, the Senate refused to block an attempt by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., to repeal the law, and then it approved Murray’s proposal by a voice vote.

The Senate action conflicts with the position of the House, so the differences will have to be worked out in negotiations on a final bill. The provision was inserted into the fiscal 1997 defense spending bill.

By a 225-192 vote last month, the House defeated a similar effort to repeal the ban on abortions at overseas military hospitals.

“Women in our armed services sacrifice each and every day to serve our country,” said Murray. “They certainly do not deserve to be told they must check their constitutional rights at the door.”

The Senate vote took place in the midst of debate on the $267 billion defense authorization bill for 1997.

The Republican-controlled Congress passed the ban last year, and President Clinton reluctantly signed it in January as part of this year’s defense bill. Clinton said he opposed the ban but other provisions in the defense measure were needed.

Wednesday’s Senate vote marked a rare victory for abortion-rights activists under the Republican-controlled Congress. Three times earlier this year, the Senate had voted in favor of the anti-abortion position on various abortion-related measures.