{"id":47743,"date":"2023-09-11T21:02:49","date_gmt":"2023-09-11T21:02:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2023\/09\/11\/gop-defense-budgets-abortion-diversity-limits-draw-biden-veto-threat\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T15:18:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T15:18:17","slug":"gop-defense-budgets-abortion-diversity-limits-draw-biden-veto-threat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/congress\/2023\/09\/11\/gop-defense-budgets-abortion-diversity-limits-draw-biden-veto-threat\/","title":{"rendered":"GOP defense budget\u2019s abortion, diversity limits draw Biden veto threat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

President Joe Biden<\/a> on Monday threatened to veto House Republicans\u2019 plans to fund the Defense Department<\/a> for 2024 because of its provisions that would dramatically limit reproductive care options and military diversity training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The White House statement comes just a few days before House members are scheduled to vote on the $826 billion Defense Department budget plan<\/a> for fiscal 2024. Chamber Democrats have already voiced strong objections to the package, but Republicans hold the majority in the chamber. Senate Democrats have also denounced the proposed measures, and any final bill would have to be passed by their chamber as well, where they hold the majority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the bill somehow did reach the president\u2019s desk in its current form, White House officials said Monday that they\u2019d recommend vetoing it <\/a>because of \u201cnumerous new, partisan policy provisions with devastating consequences including harming access to reproductive healthcare, threatening the health and safety of LGBTQ+ Americans\u201d as well as preventing the administration \u201cfrom promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The acrimony between the two parties represents another serious division with less than three weeks to go before a federal funding lapse triggers a partial government shutdown. Conservative lawmakers have urged their leaders to demand more concessions from the president and Senate before reaching a short-term or long-term spending deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The veto threat echoes one released by the administration in July threatening to veto House Republicans\u2019 plans to fund the Department of Veterans Affairs<\/a> next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this summer, lawmakers on the House Appropriations Committee<\/a> inserted language into both bills that would limit abortion access<\/a> to veterans and service members. White House officials said access to reproductive healthcare is \u201ccritical to servicemembers and their families, and the Department\u2019s ability to recruit, retain, and maintain the readiness of a highly qualified force, of which nearly 20 percent are women.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Republican lawmakers also included provisions to cut back VA diversity and equity programs<\/a>, and limit future training requirements in those areas for staff, service members or veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n