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

Austin’s memo establishes journey and transportation allowances for navy 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 won’t cowl the price of an abortion, and federal legislation prohibits the Division of Protection from paying for the process or having it carried out at its medical services most often.

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

Within the memo, Austin stated frequent journey for troops and their households “shouldn’t restrict their entry to reproductive care.” He stated the “sensible impression of current adjustments” within the legislation would hamper navy readiness.

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

“Taxpayer {dollars} aimed toward deterring 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 finances 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, welcome the brand new coverage.

“The true impact of the Supreme Courtroom choice is that the navy has been pressured to journey longer distances, take extra time without work work and pay extra out of pocket for entry to reproductive well being care.” Senate Armed Companies Chairman Jack Reed stated (DR.I.). “Secretary Austin’s order will assist relieve a few of these burdens.”

Some Home Democrats have been unsuccessful in repealing limits on navy medical services that carry out abortions following the ruling. A bunch of Senate Democrats is pushing to codify navy personnel’s proper to make use of convalescence time to have an abortion.