It would be interesting to see just much the Pentagon has budgeted for their latest line item; travel for service members to obtain abortions.
The Pentagon announced its brand new policy, and the policy directive was the brainchild of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
The Department of Defense is putting aside what they call “transportation allowances” for service members and dependents who choose to travel to have an abortion.
Here’s part of what Austin said in a statement.
“Our Service members and their families are often required to travel or move to meet our staffing, operational, and training requirements. Such moves should not limit their access to reproductive health care.”
After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, state governments would have to handle the issue in the future. 13 states imposed bans on abortions, and 37 states did not. Some of the biggest military bases are in states that banned abortions after the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Here’s more from Austin.
“In my judgment, such effects qualify as unusual, extraordinary, hardship, or emergency circumstances for service members and their dependents and will interfere with our ability to recruit, retain, and maintain the readiness of a highly qualified force.”
Not only will taxpayer funds pay for this travel, but another new policy will allow service members o request administrative leave from duties to travel out of state to receive an abortion instead of taking personal leave.
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