The US House of Representatives recently passed an expansive National Defense Authorization Act which includes a crucial amendment prohibiting the Pentagon from using taxpayer money to finance abortions. The amendment, proposed by Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, was designed as a retort to Biden’s administration using taxpayer funds to reimburse abortion-related costs. The amendment passed in the House with a 214-207 vote.
Rep. Van Duyne lauded the move as a way to “support women throughout their pregnancies and after, instead of incentivizing abortion on demand”. The amendment garnered praise from pro-life groups such as SBA Pro-Life America. Prior to the amendment, Democrat leader Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., obstructed hundreds of military promotions for more than 10 months in protest against Pentagon’s pro-abortion policy.
The defense bill, now inclusive of the pro-life amendment, received validation from Speaker of the House Mike Johnson who expressed through a statement that the bill provision empowers the military to defend U.S. interests proficiently, while enhancing the quality of life for service members. This action by the House of Representatives is a significant move in the ongoing debate about reproductive health care rights in the United States.