Troop Leave for Abortion Services Would Be Protected in House Defense Spending Bill – By Rebecca Kheel (Military.com) / June 14, 2022
House Democrats are moving to ensure service members can take leave to get an abortion ahead of the Supreme Court’s expected ruling to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that prevents states from outlawing the procedure.
A draft of the fiscal 2023 defense spending bill released Tuesday by House Appropriations Committee Democrats would not allow the Pentagon “to deny leave for any member of the Armed Forces or civilian employee of the Department of Defense … who is pregnant and requests leave to obtain an abortion” or “is the spouse, partner, or significant other of a pregnant individual and requests leave to assist that individual in obtaining an abortion,” according to the bill text.
The House Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee is scheduled to meet behind closed doors Wednesday to advance the spending bill.
