Bowling Green Today

Yesterday, U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Ted Budd (R-NC), alongside 25 other Republican Senators, sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, condemning the Department of Defense's policy of paying for the travel expenses of servicemembers and dependents seeking abortions. The letter emphasizes that the current situation began with Secretary Austin's decision to promulgate the policy, which they refer to as his "original sin."

The letter, which calls on Secretary Austin to rescind the policy, states, "Do the right thing. Rescind the Policy now." The senators argue that the Department of Defense should not be expending funds to facilitate abortions, as Congress never authorized such expenditures. They highlight that the military previously only facilitated abortions in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother was endangered if the unborn child were carried to term.

The senators also criticize Secretary Austin for politicizing the military and engaging in a policy debate that should be reserved for the legislature. They claim that the Department has no data to support its claim that the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization has readiness, recruiting, and retention implications for the military. Additionally, they point out that only 12 women have taken advantage of the policy since its inception, undermining the argument that it has significant recruiting and retention implications.

The letter concludes by stating, "Your decision to issue the Policy politicized the military and placed the wants of a few over the needs of the entire nation. Do the right thing. Rescind the Policy now."

This letter comes after the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which sparked controversy regarding abortion rights. The senators' demand to rescind the DoD's abortion travel policy adds to the ongoing debate surrounding reproductive rights and the role of the military in facilitating access to abortions.

It remains to be seen how Secretary Austin will respond to the senators' demands.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-paul-sen-budd-send-letter-to-sec-austin-demanding-that-dod-rescind-abortion-travel-policy/