{"id":59038,"date":"2022-05-12T16:14:49","date_gmt":"2022-05-12T16:14:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2022\/05\/12\/lawmakers-press-dod-to-provide-troops-access-to-abortion-if-roe-v-wade-is-overturned\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T10:09:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T10:09:13","slug":"lawmakers-press-dod-to-provide-troops-access-to-abortion-if-roe-v-wade-is-overturned","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2022\/05\/12\/lawmakers-press-dod-to-provide-troops-access-to-abortion-if-roe-v-wade-is-overturned\/","title":{"rendered":"Lawmakers press DOD to provide troops access to abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Senators upset over threats to abortion rights are pushing Defense Department officials <\/a>to guarantee that female servicemembers will have access to the medical procedure even if it is outlawed in states<\/a> where they are stationed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin<\/a> on Thursday, the senators (seven Democrats and independent Maine Sen. Angus King) said military leaders need to weigh in on the issue now \u2014 even before an expected Supreme Court ruling on the issue later this year \u2014 to provide reassurance and clarity to troops now unsure of their rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt a minimum, you and your staff should consider implementing policy changes to allow servicemembers to obtain [special permission] in order to travel out of state for reproductive healthcare and abortions if they are stationed in a jurisdiction that curtails these rights,\u201d the group wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe men and women who join the military sacrifice an incredible amount in order to serve their country. We owe it to these servicemembers to look after them and ensure they have the ability to continue accessing safe reproductive healthcare no matter where in the nation their military service sends them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t