U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., celebrated the Pentagon’s decision to reverse its policy covering travel costs for service members seeking abortions. Tuberville’s 11-month hold on senior military promotions in 2023 over the policy was deemed “worth it” by the senator. He emphasized that no taxpayer dollars should go towards funding abortions and praised the Pentagon for focusing on lethality over political agendas. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude to Tuberville for his leadership on the issue.
The previous policy did not cover the cost of abortions but was put in place to assist service members traveling out of state for the procedure following the implementation of abortion restrictions in states like Alabama post-Roe v. Wade reversal. The reversal was met with praise from Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Birmingham, who called it a “great day for our nation.”
However, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-NJ, a Navy veteran, criticized the decision, arguing that it endangers servicewomen who may be stationed in states with severe abortion bans. Sherrill claimed to have clashed with Tuberville in an effort to maintain the policy. Despite the opposition, Tuberville and other Republicans welcomed the Pentagon’s decision, emphasizing their stance on abortion funding. The repeal highlights the ongoing debate surrounding reproductive rights in the military and the impact of state laws on service members’ access to healthcare services.
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