(Daily360.com) The House of Representatives passed a measure to overturn the military abortion policy as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. The military currently reimburses travel expenses to pregnant troops who seek abortion services. This is a Republican change to the NDAA bill that may stop Democrats from supporting and passing the legislation.
Republicans have wanted to overturn the measure since it was passed in 2022. They argue that it bypasses laws that prevent the use of taxpayer funds to pay for abortions. Rep Beth Van Duyne proposed the change to the NDAA and said the regulation as it exists only panders to the abortion lobby. She also said the Department of Defense has limited resources so paying for flights and hotel rooms for abortions should not be a suitable use for taxpayer funds.
Democrat Chrissy Houlahan said she doesn’t like that people who have never served in the military are telling active military members what they have the freedom to do. She is an Air Force veteran and said military members should have the freedom and financial assistance to seek the health care they need.
There are other Republican-led initiatives added to the NDAA that may stop the bill from passing. A partisan vote also supported banning government funds from covering gender transition care for military members. They also added a ban on diversity equity and inclusion programs.
Mikie Sherrill, a New Jersey Democratic representative, said the NDAA is supposed to be about national security, but the Republican contributions don’t do anything to protect the country. She called the Republican added proposals homophobic and misogynistic.
Speaker Mike Johnson expressed the intent to use the NDAA to provide necessary resources to the military in order to defend America on the global stage. Another measure that was added to the bill will automatically register men aged 18-26 for selective service. It has always been a law for men 18 years old to register for selective service within 30 days, but the new legislation would automatically register male citizens upon turning 18 years old.
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