Modification to Department of Defense Travel Authorities for Abortion-Related Expenses Act of 2023

2/6/2024, 2:02 AM

Modification to Department of Defense Travel Authorities for Abortion-Related Expenses Act of 2023

This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from providing certain funding related to abortion services.

First, the bill terminates the DOD memorandum titled Ensuring Access to Reproductive Health Care (October 20, 2022). Such memo sets forth DOD policies and procedures in response to the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Under the bill, DOD may not obligate or expend funds to carry out the objectives of the memo or any successor memo.

Next, the bill prohibits DOD from providing any actual or necessary expenses of travel or transportation related to official travel for a member of the Armed Forces or a dependent of such a member who is seeking an abortion or any abortion-related service (except in the case of rape or incest, or when the mother's life is in danger).

The bill provides that limited access of a member of the Armed Forces or a dependent to an abortion or abortion-related services due to the member's duty location does not constitute an unusual, extraordinary, hardship, or emergency circumstance for which travel and transportation allowances may be provided (except in the case of rape or incest, or when the mother's life is in danger).

The bill also prohibits a member of the Armed Forces from taking convalescent leave or using an administrative absence for travel related to receiving an abortion or abortion-related service (except in the case of rape or incest, or when the mother's life is in danger).

Congress
118

Number
S - 822

Introduced on
2023-03-15

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

7/25/2023

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Modification to Department of Defense Travel Authorities for Abortion-Related Expenses Act of 2023

This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from providing certain funding related to abortion services.

First, the bill terminates the DOD memorandum titled Ensuring Access to Reproductive Health Care (October 20, 2022). Such memo sets forth DOD policies and procedures in response to the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Under the bill, DOD may not obligate or expend funds to carry out the objectives of the memo or any successor memo.

Next, the bill prohibits DOD from providing any actual or necessary expenses of travel or transportation related to official travel for a member of the Armed Forces or a dependent of such a member who is seeking an abortion or any abortion-related service (except in the case of rape or incest, or when the mother's life is in danger).

The bill provides that limited access of a member of the Armed Forces or a dependent to an abortion or abortion-related services due to the member's duty location does not constitute an unusual, extraordinary, hardship, or emergency circumstance for which travel and transportation allowances may be provided (except in the case of rape or incest, or when the mother's life is in danger).

The bill also prohibits a member of the Armed Forces from taking convalescent leave or using an administrative absence for travel related to receiving an abortion or abortion-related service (except in the case of rape or incest, or when the mother's life is in danger).

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to terminate the Department of Defense memorandum relating to access to abortions, to prohibit the use of travel and transportation allowances, medical convalescent leave, and administrative absences to travel to obtain abortions, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Armed Forces and National Security

Potential Impact
Military personnel and dependents
Sex and reproductive health
Women's health

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary2/2/2024

Modification to Department of Defense Travel Authorities for Abortion-Related Expenses Act of 2023

This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from providing certain funding related to abortion services.

First, the bi...


Latest Action7/25/2023
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 146.