img

HASC Congresswomen Condemn Senator Tuberville for Blocking Military Nominations and Access to Reproductive Healthcare for Servicewomen and Their Families

March 30, 2023
Press Release

Washington, DC– Representatives Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Elissa Slotkin (MI-07), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), and Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) released the following statement condemning Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville’s efforts to block the nomination of senior military officials over the Pentagon’s reproductive healthcare policy:

“As women on the House Armed Services Committee, we strongly object to Senator Tuberville’s work to limit women’s access to reproductive healthcare and to endanger our military readiness in a time of international strife and pressing global threats.

“We wholeheartedly support the Department of Defense’s and Secretary Austin’s efforts to ensure our servicewomen and military families receive access to robust reproductive healthcare in order to ensure the highest levels of readiness, recruitment, and retention.  

“Approximately one in five members of the military are women, and they are the fastest-growing group in the military. There are estimates that 40 percent of servicewomen have little or no access to basic reproductive health services. It’s incumbent on our Congress to ensure we protect this fundamental right for those who have pledged to protect ours.

“Furthermore, holding the nominations and promotions of our senior military leaders hostage - men and women who, along with their families, have devoted their lives to the service of our country - is not only unconscionable but a threat to our national defense. During his testimony to our Committee yesterday, Secretary Austin highlighted the impact this has on families, readiness, and military operations. 

“We call on Senator Tuberville to withdraw his hold and, going forward, urge members of Congress to refuse to play political games with our national security and the quality of life of our soldiers and sailors.”