Pentagon Scrubs Biden-Era Policy
In a significant policy shift, the Pentagon has reversed a controversial Biden administration rule that funded travel for military personnel and their families seeking abortions and other reproductive services across state lines. This change, which took effect on Tuesday, was outlined in a memo released by the Defense Travel Management Office, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle over social policies within the military.
Under President Biden, former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin implemented a policy in early 2023 that allowed military members and their dependents to take paid leave and receive reimbursement for travel expenses when seeking an abortion or reproductive health services in states where such procedures were restricted. This policy came in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which led some states to impose stricter abortion laws.
The Biden administration justified the policy by pointing to a legal memo from the Defense Department, asserting that federal law did not prohibit the use of government funds to cover incidental costs like travel or per diem for individuals seeking abortions. However, critics, particularly Republicans, denounced the policy as a loophole that effectively circumvented the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funds from being used for abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother.
Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) was one of the most vocal opponents, even using his position to delay military promotions for nearly a year in protest. He argued that the travel policy violated the Hyde Amendment’s intent and undermined taxpayer protections against funding abortions.
In response to the backlash, former President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order reinforcing the Hyde Amendment, aiming to close any gaps that allowed federal funds to indirectly subsidize abortion-related travel. This move is seen as a step toward limiting the expansion of progressive social policies within the Department of Defense.
Democrats quickly condemned the Pentagon’s action, with Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) leading a group of 18 senators in a letter arguing that the policy change would undermine the well-being of service members, particularly women, who make up 17% of the U.S. military. Critics claim that limiting access to reproductive healthcare for military personnel sends a harmful message to women in uniform, particularly at a time when the military is facing significant recruitment and retention challenges.
For conservatives, this policy change is a win for taxpayers and a step toward preserving the integrity of the Hyde Amendment. It also underscores the need to keep the military focused on its core mission of national defense, rather than becoming entangled in divisive social issues.
