Sherrill Leads Legislation to Protect Access to Abortion and IVF for Military Servicewomen
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) reintroduced the Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act, legislation to protect health care access for servicewomen and military families who are stationed in states with extreme abortion bans. The Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act is co-led by Representatives Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), and Jason Crow (CO-06).
Currently, nearly 50% of service members are stationed in a state with extremely limited or no access to abortion. This critical bill would require the Department of Defense (DoD) to allow service members to take leave and reimburse travel costs to receive reproductive health care treatment — and comes after Secretary Hegseth rescinded standing DoD policy to prevent servicewomen from traveling for abortion care.
“We ask our servicewomen to put their lives on the line to protect our country from threats across the globe — they should never have to risk their lives or their health to access abortion care here in the United States. That’s why I am reintroducing my legislation to ensure that our servicewomen have the freedom to choose if and when to start a family, and can travel to receive reproductive care — whether that’s abortion or IVF. Right now, it’s more important than ever that we take swift action to support those who sign up to serve. Secretary Hegseth has been clear about his belief that women should not be serving in combat — and he took quick action to overturn access to reproductive care for servicewomen shortly after being confirmed. Now, he’s working to undercut our military’s strength by firing our nation’s top military officials — including the first woman to lead the U.S. Navy. This issue is deeply personal to me, having served in the Navy. I will always fight to ensure that our servicewomen and military family members have access to basic reproductive care,” said Rep. Sherrill.
"My home state of Texas has been ground zero for the Republicans' assault on reproductive freedom," said Rep. Escobar. "Texas is also home to over a dozen military bases, including Fort Bliss, which I have the honor of representing in Congress. Amidst a challenging recruiting environment, I believe it is more important than ever to ensure Congress protects the rights of our military women and families to access the reproductive care they need, regardless of where they serve. I am proud to co-lead the Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act, which does just that. Members of our military are trusted to protect our freedoms; it is only right we protect theirs.”
“As two of the very small number of women in Congress who have served in uniform, Rep. Sherrill and I are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder alongside fellow veteran Rep. Crow and our colleague Rep. Escobar to fight against extreme anti-abortion efforts. It's outrageous that some of my colleagues believe they can make better decisions about a service member's reproductive care than the service members themselves," said Rep. Houlahan. "It is our responsibility to protect the health and safety of those serving our nation, and reimbursing expenses incurred while seeking vital reproductive services is part of that responsibility. We must codify this policy to show our all-volunteer force and their families that we respect their service and will do whatever we can to make health care safe and accessible."
“Restricting servicemembers’ access to health care, including fertility treatments and abortion care is wrong and undermines our military’s recruitment, readiness, and retention,” said Rep. Crow. “I’m introducing this bill to ensure women have access to the health care they need no matter where they’re stationed.”
The legislation has earned endorsements from the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproductive Rights, The Guttmacher Institute, Ibis Reproductive Health, Modern Military Association of America, National Council of Jewish Women, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women’s Law Center, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Power to Decide, and Reproductive Freedom for All.
Sherrill has been a leading voice in Congress in protecting abortion rights for servicewomen and military families. She spearheaded the fight against Senator Tommy Tuberville’s efforts to overturn the Department of Defense’s abortion policy and introduced legislation that would codify the policy into law. House Republicans refused to consider Sherrill’s legislation.
She successfully secured an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025 NDAA to codify access to year-long supplies of contraceptives to service members. Sherrill has fought for legislation to promote education about women’s heart health, and has co-led a bill to ensure women can access a full year’s supply of contraceptives, rather than just three months at a time. Finally, she is leading efforts to end “judge shopping,” a tactic used by anti-abortion advocates to gain favorable outcomes.
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