WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement today regarding the Defense Authorization bill:

“The Defense Authorization bill should focus on providing the support and resources needed to help our troops. It is unfortunate that Senate Democratic Leadership decided to attach controversial amendments to the bill in anticipation of upcoming elections. Congress should not use the Defense Authorization bill as a political football.

“The provisions repealing the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy and requiring military hospitals to perform abortions should be removed from this bill. These attempts at social experimentation have no place in a defense bill.

“Congress should refrain from conducting any legislative action on ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ until the Defense Department has concluded its comprehensive review of the policy. I also oppose language authorizing abortions at military hospitals both abroad and here at home.  We face a severe shortage of doctors and nurses, and this language would further strain our military medical personnel at a time when our country should be focused on ways to improve the care and support for our troops and their families during this time of war.”

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