Just in time for Memorial Day, when Americans honor those who have served their country in the armed services, the House has delivered a double whammy to women in the military. By a vote of 221-195 last week, the ban on privately funded abortions in the military overseas was left in place, so women serving overseas do not have the same rights to abortion as women at home even if they're willing to foot the bill themselves. Also, included in the FY2001 Defense Authorization Bill was a provision to prohibit the Navy from reconfiguring existing submarines to accomodate female crew members , effectively denying women the opportunity to serve on subs. During the last two years, prime contracts awarded to woman-owned businesses have decreased by a whopping 38 percent . What better time than Memorial Day to honor the women who served in Vietnam.
China is one of the world's largest users of forced labor and most sweatshop workers are women .
Since the trade status now must be reviewed yearly, PNTR would mean the U.S. gives away its major bargaining chip to improve human rights for Chinese women and men. The ruling was 5-4, carried by the conservative majority. The good news is that there is bi-partisan support, and the current version continues VAWA programs for the next five years, at full funding levels. The bad news is that coverage for victims of dating violence was dropped . CFC accurately points out that the Roman Catholic Church is a religion, not a country.