‘Determined marketing campaign tactic’: High Republican rips Pentagon’s new abortion coverage

Austin’s memo establishes journey and transportation allowances for army personnel and dependents who need abortions however are pressured to journey as a result of they’re stationed in states the place the process is prohibited.

The brand new coverage is not going to cowl the price of an abortion, and federal regulation prohibits the Division of Protection from paying for the process or having it carried out at its medical amenities typically.

Austin’s memo additionally directs a number of different adjustments associated to reproductive care, together with the implementation of further privateness protections for the army. He additionally directed the division to permit administrative depart to maintain reproductive well being in order that service employees don’t have to take depart.

Within the memo, Austin stated frequent journey for troops and their households “mustn’t restrict their entry to reproductive care.” He stated the “sensible influence of latest adjustments” within the regulation would hamper army readiness.

Rogers, who will doubtless chair the Armed Providers panel subsequent 12 months if Republicans win the Home of Representatives, countered that the transfer is an abuse of army {dollars} and demanded solutions “about how the This memoir was born.”

“Taxpayer {dollars} meant to discourage China and different opponents shouldn’t be wasted on marketing campaign politics,” he stated. “DoD should be blocked from losing any a part of their funds on this horrible coverage.”

Congressional Democrats who pushed for service members’ entry to abortion after the Supreme Courtroom’s strike choice Roe v. Wade This summer time, cheers for the brand new coverage.

“The true impact of the Supreme Courtroom choice is that the army has been pressured to journey longer distances, take extra break day work and pay extra out of pocket for entry to reproductive well being care.” Senate Armed Providers Chairman Jack Reed stated (DR.I.). “Secretary Austin’s order will assist relieve a few of these burdens.”

A number of Home Democrats had been unsuccessful in repealing limits on army medical amenities that carry out abortions following the ruling. A bunch of Senate Democrats is pushing to codify army personnel’s proper to make use of their convalescence time to get an abortion.