Bowling Green Today

U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Ted Budd (R-NC), along with 25 other GOP Senators, have sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, calling for the Department of Defense (DoD) to rescind its policy of paying travel expenses for servicemembers and dependents seeking abortions. The letter emphasizes that the current situation began with the Secretary's decision to promulgate the policy, stating that "our men and women in uniform deserve Senate-confirmed leadership."

The letter highlights the senators' concerns about the politicization of the military and the potential harm to institutional norms within the democracy. It points out that the DoD's abortion travel policy, issued on October 20, 2022, goes beyond facilitating abortions for active duty personnel and extends to covering travel expenses for their dependents as well, including late-term abortions.

The senators argue that the Department's authority to issue regulations comes from Congress, and Congress has never authorized the use of funds to facilitate abortions. They also note that taxpayers, many of whom have religious or moral objections to abortion, are now compelled to fund a procedure they fundamentally oppose. A poll conducted in January 2023 found that 60% of Americans strongly oppose the use of taxpayer dollars for abortions.

The letter questions the Department's claim that the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization has "readiness, recruiting, and retention implications for the Force." According to the senators, the Department has no data to support this claim, and the Policy has had minimal utilization. Only 12 women have taken advantage of the Policy since its inception, according to a recent letter from the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The senators assert that Secretary Austin's decision to issue the Policy politicized the military and prioritized the wants of a few over the needs of the entire nation. They urge him to "do the right thing" and rescind the Policy immediately.

The letter was signed by Senators Katie Britt (R-AL), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Tom Cotton (R-AR), John Boozman (R-AR), Rick Scott (R-FL), Mike Braun (R-IN), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Thune (R-SD), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and John Barrasso (R-WY).

The full letter to Secretary Austin can be read on Senator Rand Paul's website.

In response to the senators' demand, Secretary Austin has yet to issue a public statement or comment on the matter.

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