Rep. Ronny Jackson Introduces Legislation To Prohibit DOD From Providing Abortion Services

Earlier this week, Representatives Ronny Jackson (TX-13) and Chip Roy (TX-21) introduced legislation prohibiting the Department of Defense (DoD) from funding abortion services, including travel expenses to obtain an abortion. Last month, the Department of Defense announced its plan to use taxpayer funds to financially and materially aid in the travel of military personnel to procure an abortion. This legislation will repeal the memorandum placing these policies into effect and prohibit any tax dollars from being used to carry out such a policy.

Jackson Said: “As a staunch defender of life, I am disappointed in the Biden Administration’s continuous attempts to circumvent pro-life legislation like the Hyde Amendment. For over 45 years, Hyde has protected millions of unborn children by prohibiting American tax dollars from funding the brutal act of abortion. The Department of Defense’s complete disregard for these longstanding pro-life provisions is unacceptable and must be stopped immediately. The DoD exists to protect our national security interests and to defend against our enemies, and it has no business using taxpayer dollars to contribute to the demise of the unborn. Congressman Roy and I, along with many of our colleagues, are reintroducing this legislation to end this egregious DoD policy. Congress and the American people have spoken – taxpayer dollars should never fund abortion or abortion-related services.”

Roy Said: “The Biden Administration’s flagrantly political decision to create an abortion travel slush fund both flies in the face of current law and violates nearly half a century of bipartisan consensus to protect Americans' conscience rights by preventing taxpayer dollars from funding most abortions. Our military is not a political pawn for the left’s social agenda. House Republicans have the power of the purse and we should use it. I am proud to join Dr. Jackson to lead this effort to defund this radical policy.”

The bill text can be found here.

This legislation is supported by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, and Family Research Council.

“The Biden-Harris administration ought to be focused on safeguarding American lives and freedoms. Instead, they are rewriting the rules, ignoring the law to impose abortion until birth nationwide with no limits, paid for by the taxpayer. Their cruel policy of using the military to facilitate abortion on demand will cost some 4,100 unborn children their lives every year if they are not stopped,” said Hon. Marilyn Musgrave, with Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. “Only 10% of Americans agree with the Democrats’ radical pro-abortion agenda. We thank Reps. Ronny Jackson and Chip Roy for standing up to Biden, and we urge their colleagues to join them in defending women and children.”

Original cosponsors of the legislation include Representatives Pat Fallon (TX-04), Rob Wittman (VA-01), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Jim Banks (IN-03), Brad Wenstrup (OH-02), Mike Waltz (FL-06), Mark Alford (MO-04), Rich McCormick (GA-06), Brad Finstad (MN-01), Mike Johnson (LA-04), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Randy Weber (TX-14), Tracey Mann (KS-01), Lauren Boebert (CO-03), John Moolenaar (MI-02), Pete Sessions (TX-17), Mary Miller (IL-15), Dan Bishop (NC-08), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Andy Ogles (TN-05), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), August Pfluger (TX-11), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Paul Gosar (AZ-09), Brian Mast (FL-21), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), Greg Steube (FL-17), Andrew Clyde (GA-09), Ron Estes (KS-04), Brian Babin (TX-36), Chris Smith (NJ-04), Lance Gooden (TX-05), Bill Posey (FL-08), John Rutherford (FL-05), Bob Good (VA-05), Josh Brecheen (OK-02), and Glenn Grothman (WI-06).