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House Favors Separate Military Training for Women & Upholds Overseas Abortion Ban

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to require the Army, Navy, and Air Force to provide separate training for its male and female recruits. The Marine Corps already trains men and women separately.

Defense Secretary William S. Cohen said that separate housing, but not separate training, is necessary. Army, Air Force, and Navy officials also object to separate training.

As part of a new $270 billion defense spending bill, $8 million would be set aside to help separate men and women recruits before new, $160 million barracks are constructed.

The House also let stand a defense bill prohibition that prevents women from obtaining personally-financed abortions in overseas military hospitals. This prohibition will undoubtedly force military women to endanger their lives by seeking unsafe abortions elsewhere.

A final vote on the entire defense bill may be taken today.

Feminist News Stories on Abortion

Feminist News Stories on Sexual Harassment, Assault, and Discrimination in the Military

Sources:

AP - May 21, 1998

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