Senate Democrats block GOP decision that might cease veterans abortion care

WASHINGTON (Grey DC) – Senate Democrats blocked a GOP decision from passing Wednesday afternoon that might have stopped abortion look after veterans who obtain healthcare by the U.S. Division of Veterans Affairs.

The vote occurred concurrently with a call from the U.S. Supreme Courtroom on the way forward for the abortion capsule Mifepristone. The Supreme Courtroom prolonged a keep till Friday to cease a Texas ruling that restricts entry to remedy abortion. That keep will expire at midnight on Friday.

“You already know, I awakened this morning questioning what precisely was the second the Republicans within the Senate not imagine that I had the suitable to bodily autonomy?” requested Purple Coronary heart recipient and Iraq Conflict veteran, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-In poor health.) as she rallied towards the GOP decision on the VA.

“As a result of right here’s what I do know,” she mentioned, “this nation, and people Republicans had been actually alright with me making the selection to make use of my physique as I noticed match after I signed as much as struggle wars on this nation’s behalf. They had been simply positive for me to determine to make use of my legs and arms to fly a Blackhawk helicopter into fight. Nobody minded it. And actually, honored me after I misplaced these limbs in protection of this nice nation. So I used to be competent to make these selections about how I used to be going to make use of my physique. So my query is, when do the parents arguing anti-choice positions, arguing that we should always not permit veterans reproductive well being care, when did they suppose I misplaced the competence to make selections about my uterus that they I had about utilizing my legs and arms?”

Duckworth misplaced her legs and partial use of her proper arm in 2004 when her helicopter was hit by a RPG whereas serving in Iraq.

She joined her fellow Senate Democrats within the vote towards the GOP’s VA Decision which garnered 48 yays and 51 nays.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) launched the invoice again in February. He argues, the VA’s abortion care coverage is prohibited as a result of it wasn’t introduced till September of 2022. That’s months after the U.S. Supreme Courtroom overturned the constitutional the suitable to an abortion.

“The VA has by no means carried out abortions. By no means have they carried out abortions till now. Beneath Roe Wade the VA by no means even talked about it,” he mentioned.

At present, the VA provides abortion counseling and abortion providers for veterans who’ve skilled rape, incest, and whose life is in peril.

Copyright 2023 Grey DC. All rights reserved.