10 lawmakers urge Speaker Johnson to include a provision in the defense bill that bans taxpayer funds for abortion travel

Congressional Lawmakers Demand Defense ​Appropriations Bill Prohibit Taxpayer ⁢Funds for Abortion Travel

A⁣ group of congressional lawmakers is taking a stand against the use of taxpayer dollars⁣ for service members ⁢to obtain abortions. In a letter to Speaker⁤ Mike Johnson, ⁢they express their “serious concerns” about the language of the‌ defense appropriations bill.

“Specifically, we urge you to include language⁢ that‌ unequivocally prohibits⁤ the use​ of taxpayer funds for service members to travel​ to obtain⁤ an abortion,” the group wrote.

Representative Eric⁢ Burlison spearheaded the letter, which was ‍signed by nine⁣ other Republican House members. They include Representatives Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar, Debbie Lesko, Ben‌ Cline, Mary Miller, Bob Good, Matthew‌ Rosendale, ‌Doug LaMalfa, and Anna Paulina ‌Luna.

The group strongly criticizes the Biden‌ administration for turning the Defense Department ⁢into what ​they ⁢call⁣ an “abortion travel agency.”

“Redirecting the focus of our armed forces away ⁤from readiness and combating threats and‌ instead toward the Biden Administration’s ‍radical​ abortion‍ agenda is an intentional and abhorrent misuse of government funding to facilitate the killing of unborn children,” the members of Congress wrote.

This⁣ issue ⁣of taxpayers ‍covering abortion travel for the military has been raised ⁣before. In 2022, Secretary​ of Defense Lloyd Austin directed the Pentagon⁢ to‌ pay for female service members to travel for abortions. The Pentagon⁤ argued that⁤ the end of Roe vs. ⁤Wade means women in the military have to travel greater distances and spend more money to get ⁣abortions, which impacts military readiness.

CLICK‌ HERE TO ‍GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP

The⁤ group of lawmakers ⁤who‌ wrote to Johnson on Friday argue that while they recognize the importance of providing comprehensive healthcare for American military⁣ personnel, abortion should‍ not be included in that. They ‍believe that abortion is not‌ healthcare ​and⁤ should not be ⁢treated as such.

“By introducing clear language that prohibits the allocation⁤ of ⁢funds ‌for travel related to abortion services, ⁢we can ensure that⁢ taxpayer dollars are not used to facilitate‍ or‍ help provide for abortions,” the group said.

Congress is currently working on a dozen appropriations bills to fund the government. On Thursday, they passed a continuing ⁣resolution to fund the government through early March while they finalize ‌the full spending bills.

Why do the congressional lawmakers argue that ⁤it is inappropriate to use‌ taxpayer funds ​for abortion travel?

Icizes‌ the defense appropriations bill⁢ for not explicitly ​banning​ the use of taxpayer funds for abortion travel. They⁤ argue ⁢that it is inappropriate and against⁣ the values of many Americans to use taxpayer money to support a procedure that goes against their beliefs.

The letter emphasizes the importance of⁤ protecting the‍ rights and values of ⁤pro-life ⁢service members who may not want their ⁣tax⁢ dollars to be used for abortions. ⁣Additionally, it highlights the need to respect the ‌conscience ​and religious⁣ beliefs of these individuals.

Furthermore, the congressional lawmakers argue that⁢ it is​ inconsistent and unjust for taxpayer funds to be used for abortion travel while ​other medical procedures and services may not receive the same level of financial support. They call for equal‍ treatment and fairness ‍in the use of taxpayer dollars.

The group also expresses concern about the potential misuse and abuse of⁣ taxpayer⁣ funds. They worry ⁤that without a clear ​prohibition, there may be instances where taxpayer dollars are used‌ inappropriately or for purposes that go against the‍ wishes of the American people.

In conclusion, the bipartisan group of congressional lawmakers is demanding that the defense appropriations bill include ‌language that unequivocally prohibits the use of taxpayer funds for service members to travel for abortions. Their‌ letter highlights the importance ⁢of protecting the rights⁣ and values of‍ pro-life service members ‍and ensuring equal treatment in the use of taxpayer dollars.