GOP Sen. Wicker Blocks Obama Nominee Over Abortion Provision In Defense Bill
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) has placed a hold on President Obama’s nominee for the Pentagon’s top health policy position in objection to the nominee’s responses to questions regarding a provision in the 2011 Defense authorization bill (S 3454) that would allow some abortion services to be performed at military facilities, CQ Today reports. Senate Republicans blocked consideration of the bill before Congress adjourned for a pre-election recess, citing objections to the abortion provision and a repeal of the 1993 “don’t ask, don’t tell” law banning openly gay people from serving in the military.
In April, Obama nominated Jonathan Woodson, a vascular surgeon and brigadier general in the U.S. Army Reserve, to be the assistant secretary of Defense for health affairs. If confirmed, Woodson would lead the Military Health System, the global medical network under the Pentagon. He also would oversee force health protection and readiness, clinical and program policy, and health budgets and financial policy. The position has been filled on an interim basis since April 2009 (Oliveri, CQ Today, 10/19).
10/19/10
