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Sherrill Stands up for Reproductive Freedom for Servicewomen and Military Families

November 9, 2023

New Bill Will Codify DOD Abortion Travel Policy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, a Navy veteran and member of the House Armed Services Committee, introduced the Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act to protect servicewomen and military family members’ access to reproductive health care, regardless of the state they are stationed. 

Currently, nearly 50% of servicemembers are stationed in a state with extremely limited or no access to abortion. Rep. Sherrill’s legislation would codify portions of current Department of Defense policy, which guarantees military leave and travel cost reimbursements for servicemembers forced to travel out of state to receive reproductive health care. 

The Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act is co-led by Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), and Jason Crow (CO-06). The legislation has earned the support of the House Pro Choice Caucus, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America), National Women’s Law Center, Center for Reproductive Rights, Service Women’s Action Network, American Association of OB-GYNs, National Women’s Health Network, Power to Decide, National Partnership for Women and Families, and Minority Veterans of America.

“When our servicemembers joined the armed forces prior to the Dobbs decision, they did so with the understanding that they and their families would receive comprehensive, high quality health care services, including abortion. Now, almost half of our servicewomen are restricted from or unable to receive critical care in the state they are stationed – that is simply unacceptable. But anti-abortion extremists didn’t stop there –  Senator Tommy Tuberville is threatening military readiness and our national security, holding up nearly 400 general and admiral promotions, all as part of a radical effort to end the current DOD policy that simply does the bare minimum to support and protect the women who signed up to serve our nation,” said Rep. Sherrill. “That’s why, today, I am introducing legislation to codify this DOD policy to protect access to abortion care for servicewomen and their families.”  

“The Defense Department’s policies ensuring access to non-covered reproductive health care are critical to ensuring military readiness and the health and well-being of service members and their families, who are the backbone of our national defense. I am proud to join Rep. Sherrill in this effort to codify portions of this policy in the face of extreme MAGA Republicans’ relentless efforts to eliminate access to essential reproductive health care. I also stand with my democratic colleagues in our unwavering commitment to ensuring service members and military families get the care they need and deserve regardless of where they are stationed,” said Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee.

"As two of the 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 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 member themselves," said Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06). "We have a responsibility to protect the health and safety of those serving our nation, and reimbursing expenses incurred while seeking vital reproductive services, including abortion, 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."

"Republicans have waged a ruthless assault on reproductive freedoms across our country. In my home state of Texas, I have seen firsthand the harmful impacts to the lives of women as a result of these draconian measures," said Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16). "Texas is also home to over a dozen military bases, including Fort Bliss, which I have the honor of representing in Congress. Red states across the country have enacted their own restrictions on reproductive care, threatening the health and freedoms of service women and military families who often have little choice in where they serve. As our military faces the toughest recruiting environment in history, I believe it is more important than ever to ensure Congress affirms the rights of our military women and families to seek reproductive care that meets their needs. 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 codify theirs.”

“A servicemember’s choice to have an abortion should remain between her and her doctor – not politicians,” said Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06). “Unfortunately, following a misguided Supreme Court decision, we were forced to start asking servicewomen to not only give their life in defense of our nation but to do so in a way that sets aside their fundamental rights and freedoms. This was plain wrong, and I’m thankful the Department of Defense acted to protect our servicemembers and meet our national security objectives. And I’m proud to join my colleague, Rep. Sherrill to codify and expand on DoD’s decision to protect the rights of women in uniform.”

“Everyone deserves access to abortion, including service members and their families. Access to reproductive health care – including abortion – allows people the freedom to make the best decisions for themselves, their families, and their futures. Planned Parenthood is proud to support the Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act, legislation that stands with our service members and secures their access to essential sexual and reproductive health care regardless of where they are stationed,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

“Every person, including service members, should have the freedom to make decisions about their bodies and futures without political interference. Unfortunately, service members and their loved ones face significant barriers to abortion due in part to bans on this care within the military health care system and because of state bans on abortion throughout the country. The Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act led by Representatives Sherrill, Crow, Houlahan and Escobar would help alleviate these barriers by facilitating travel and access to care," said Jackii Wang, Senior Legislative Analyst at the National Women’s Law Center.

"Service Women’s Action Network strongly supports Representative Sherrill’s 'Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act',” said Lorry M. Fenner (Colonel, USAF Retired), SWAN Director of Government Relations. “Servicemembers and their families have earned access to safe, private, and affordable reproductive care, both for their health and in support of force readiness. SWAN advocates for servicemembers' ability to travel and to be reimbursed for that travel when accessing the full range of care that is not readily available where they are assigned.” 

As a Navy Veteran, Representative Sherrill has been a leading voice in the fight to protect abortion rights and access to reproductive healthcare for servicemembers nationwide. During House consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act, she fought tirelessly for her amendment(link is external) that would’ve codified the current DoD abortion travel policy. The Republican Majority flat out rejected it and instead chose to advance Rep. Ronny Jackson’s amendment that does the opposite. Sherrill argued adamantly(link is external) against this policy and led the floor debate(link is external) in opposition of the amendment. The Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act is part of Rep. Sherrill’s sustained efforts to stand up against draconian, right-wing efforts to ban abortion nationwide. 

Sherrill has led House Democrats in the fight against Senator Tommy Tuberville’s dangerous holds on military nominations, which he has attributed to the Defense Department’s travel policy for abortion. Tuberville has continued to threaten our national security to force his anti-abortion agenda onto women nationwide — obstructing promotions for nearly 400 generals and admirals, hollowing out military leadership, and jeopardizing military readiness.

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