Republican Texas Rep. Michael Cloud and Republican Illinois Rep. Michael Bost introduced a bicameral Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution Tuesday that would rescind the Veterans Affairs’ (VA) new rule that permits the VA health care system to provide abortion services to its beneficiaries.
The Daily Caller first obtained the CRA, which Republican Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville introduced in the Senate. The CRA focuses on a rule the VA announced in early September, saying it will begin providing abortion counseling and, in some cases, abortions to Americans who qualify for VA services. The rule would make it so VA health care workers will be able to perform abortions even in states in which they are illegal.
Over 60 cosponsors joined Cloud, Bost and Republican Georgia Rep. Andrew Clyde. Bost is the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
“No American should be forced by our government to pay for someone else’s abortion,” Cloud told the Caller before introducing the legislation. “The Biden administration is abusing its authority and ignoring the law to enforce a radical anti-life agenda. The VA should remain committed to providing care to support the lives of our veterans, not be used as a political tool by the Biden administration to illegally provide taxpayer-funded abortions.”
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) walks on stage during a campaign rally at Minden-Tahoe Airport on October 08, 2022 in Minden, Nevada. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
House Republicans have continued to call on Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough to immediately rescind the VA’s new rule, which he has not. (RELATED: ‘Authoritarian’: Republicans React To Biden Admin’s VA Office Offering Abortion Services)
“It’s shameful to see the Biden administration continue to find ways to blatantly undermine our laws,” Tuberville told the Caller. “The interim final rule from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide taxpayer-funded abortions at its facilities is the latest subversion in a long line of actions from this administration that points to complete contempt for the law. It betrays the convictions of many Americans who value the sanctity of life and don’t want their tax dollars paying for abortions. I am proud to join my colleagues in voicing opposition to this rule and holding the Biden administration accountable.” (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: House Republicans Demand Veterans Affairs Sec. Denis McDonough Rescind Rule Providing Abortion Services)
The Daily Caller contacted the VA about the legislation, to which VA Press Secretary Terrence Hayes responded saying: “More than 600,000 women Veterans use VA health care and about half of that number are Veterans of child-bearing age. We remain committed to providing these Veterans the full range of reproductive health services to ensure their health and well-being. VA reproductive health services include fertility services, contraceptives, emergency contraceptives, menopause care and life-saving treatment related to pregnancy, such as medically necessary care for Veterans presenting with ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage.
“We will continue to provide access to abortion counseling and abortions when the life or health of the pregnant Veteran would be endangered if the pregnancy were carried to term or when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. That is our commitment to women Veterans as they deserve nothing less than access to world-class reproductive care when they need it most. That’s what our nation owes them, and that’s what we at VA will deliver,” Hayes added.