The U.S. Navy has halted funding for abortion-related travel and leave, marking a significant shift in military healthcare policy that has divided lawmakers along party lines.
Key Takeaways
- The Pentagon has terminated a policy that reimbursed service members for travel to states where abortion procedures are legal, following President Trump’s executive order enforcing the Hyde Amendment.
- Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Tommy Tuberville, applauded the decision after previously protesting federal funding for abortion-related services.
- Democratic lawmakers, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Mikie Sherrill, have expressed concern about restricted access to reproductive healthcare for military personnel.
- The policy change affects service members stationed in states with strict abortion laws, potentially limiting their healthcare options.
- Few troops and dependents reportedly utilized the benefit during its implementation under the Biden administration.
Trump Administration Ends Biden-Era Abortion Travel Policy
The U.S. Navy has officially discontinued policies that covered travel expenses and provided leave for sailors seeking abortions. Effective February 25, the new guidance states that taxpayer dollars will no longer fund or reimburse abortion-related travel expenses. This change comes as part of the broader Pentagon policy shift following President Donald Trump’s executive order titled “Enforcing the Hyde Amendment,” which prevents federal funds from supporting abortion services and reverses policies implemented during the Biden administration.
The now-terminated policy was initially implemented in 2023 under then-Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. It provided paid leave and travel reimbursement for troops and their families stationed in states where abortion and reproductive care were unavailable or prohibited by state law. Defense officials have noted that relatively few service members actually utilized the benefit during its implementation period.
Republican Support for Policy Change
The policy change has received strong support from Republican lawmakers who have long argued that the previous policy circumvented federal laws prohibiting the use of taxpayer money for funding abortions. Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, a vocal opponent of the previous policy, had delayed over 400 military promotions in protest of what he viewed as inappropriate use of military funding.
Tuberville and other conservatives have maintained that the Hyde Amendment, which has historically prevented federal funding for elective abortions, reflects a widespread consensus against taxpayer-funded abortion services. Supporters of the policy change argue it properly aligns military healthcare spending with longstanding federal restrictions while respecting the diverse views of American taxpayers on the sensitive issue of abortion funding.
Democratic Lawmakers Express Concerns
Democratic lawmakers have been quick to criticize the policy change, expressing concern over what they describe as diminished access to reproductive healthcare for military personnel, particularly those stationed in states with restrictive abortion laws. Senator Elizabeth Warren has been especially vocal about the potential implications for servicewomen who may face limited healthcare options based on their duty stations.
“Our servicemembers go wherever they need to in order to bravely serve our country — and because President Trump’s extremist Supreme Court overturned Roe, where they and their families are stationed quite literally dictates their access to critical reproductive care. Now, Trump is turning his back on our servicemembers — and our servicewomen in particular — to score political points. It’s shameful, and will only make our troops and our nation less safe.” – Source
Representative Mikie Sherrill, a Navy veteran herself, has highlighted the personal dimension of this policy decision. She expressed particular concern for servicewomen stationed in states like Texas and Florida, where restrictive abortion laws could limit healthcare options. Critics argue the policy could force military personnel to choose between their healthcare needs and their military duties, potentially affecting recruitment, retention, and military readiness.
Sources:
- Pentagon ends paying for travel for abortion and other reproductive care
- Trump Undoes Biden’s Abortion Legacy: Navy Will No Longer Pay for Sailors’ Abortions
