If Pentagon funds abortion sans Congress vote, it won’t end there.
Senator Tuberville Takes a Stand Against Defense Department Abortion Subsidies
Senator Tommy Tuberville is steadfast in his determination to put an end to Defense Department travel subsidies for abortions. The backlash against his stance is not surprising, but the vitriol aimed at the Alabama Republican suggests that this controversy goes beyond just taxpayer-funded abortion.
On October 20, 2022, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin issued a memorandum offering generous time off and travel subsidies for military women and families seeking abortions across state lines. To counter Austin’s unilateral action, Tuberville placed a “hold” on group confirmations of Department of Defense personnel nominations and promotions.
Critics are accusing Tuberville of harming national security, but as Tuberville recently proved, his hold does not prevent the confirmation of individual nominations. Both political parties have historically used this legislative ”check and balance” option to delay or defeat some executive branch proposals.
Tuberville Faces Escalating Attacks
Tuberville’s determination has caused heads to explode with disproportionate fury. National Security Spokesman John Kirby launched an impassioned tirade proclaiming the Pentagon’s “foundational, sacred obligation” to subsidize abortions. Then, a trio of top civilian leaders castigated Tuberville in an op-ed and a joint CNN interview.
Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro accused Senator Tuberville of ”aiding and abetting a communist [government]” and “playing Russian roulette” with the lives of service members. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall complained about “taunting” from a Chinese colonel criticizing our democracy.
According to Politico, only “a small number” of military women have sought travel expenses related to abortion. Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker asked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a letter whether reports that “approximately 12 women” have used the abortion travel program were accurate.
Unveiling Big Money and Gender Politics
If Austin can get away with subsidizing abortion without a vote of Congress, Pentagon ideologues and outside activists will not stop there. The same officials who have willingly enlisted in the administration’s campaign for abortion until birth will demand “access” to other controversial services deemed “medically necessary.”
Austin’s memorandum used the keywords “access” or “accessing reproductive health care,” meaning abortion, seven times on three pages. DoD Instruction 1300.28, which expanded Defense Department regulations regarding transgender personnel, used the word “access” for so-called “gender-affirming care” 17 times on 22 pages.
It is easy to predict where activists and highly paid Pentagon “experts” are going with this. Unless Congress intervenes, DoD abortion travel subsidies will set a precedent for more expenditures not authorized by Congress. These will include generous time off and travel subsidies for adults and children seeking “gender-affirming care” across state lines.
Prioritizing Transgender Service Members
The primary beneficiaries of these funds will be organizations like Planned Parenthood and medical facilities funded by the extremely wealthy J.B & M.K. Pritzker Foundation.
Investigative journalist Jennifer Bilek reported that the billionaire Pritzker family and related philanthropic outfits promote “synthetic sexual identities,” known as SSI, by pouring millions into LGBT groups, including some that are advising Pentagon officials on transgender policies.
The Pentagon is not reporting current expenditures related to Biden’s policies, but a Trump administration panel of experts assessing costs of transgender policies implemented under Barack Obama reported a 300 percent increase in medical costs for active-duty service members diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
A new Government Accountability Office report revealed shoddy, unsafe living conditions in military barracks, but this Pentagon likely will assign priority to the “sacrament” of abortion and costly attempts to pursue synthetic gender identities.
The Defense Department exists to defend the country, not to spend untold millions on controversial medical procedures. If Tuberville backs down on abortion subsidies, demands for free travel expenses and time off for military personnel seeking sex-denying treatments and surgeries for themselves or dependent children logically will follow.
Tuberville should continue to stand firm, Congress should lend support in the pending defense bill, and Austin should rescind the abortion subsidies that triggered the confirmation impasse without further delay.
What is the impact of personal attacks and character assassination on productive discourse about controversial issues like abortion and Defense Department subsidies
Subsidies will likely lead to further demands for taxpayer funding of other controversial services, such as gender transition procedures.
This controversy also brings to light the issue of taxpayer-funded abortion. Many Americans are opposed to their tax dollars being used for a procedure that they find morally or ethically objectionable. Senator Tuberville’s stance against Defense Department travel subsidies for abortions reflects the concerns of these Americans and their desire for their tax dollars to be used in ways that align with their values.
Furthermore, the vitriol and attacks aimed at Senator Tuberville indicate a larger issue at hand. It seems that any dissenting opinion or opposition to certain policies, particularly those related to abortion, is met with an extreme and disproportionate response. Instead of engaging in constructive dialogue and debate, individuals and organizations resort to personal attacks and character assassination. This type of behavior is detrimental to our democracy and inhibits productive discourse on important issues.
Senator Tuberville’s actions, placing a “hold” on Department of Defense personnel nominations and promotions, is a legitimate and constitutional tool that has been utilized by both political parties throughout history. It allows for a check and balance on the executive branch, ensuring that decisions and actions are thoroughly evaluated before being implemented. Critics who accuse Tuberville of harming national security fail to recognize the validity and importance of this legislative check.
It is essential that we have open and respectful discussions on topics such as taxpayer-funded abortion and the role of the Defense Department in providing subsidies for such procedures. This issue goes beyond just abortion, as it raises questions about the limits of government power and the use of taxpayer dollars. It is crucial that we as a society engage in thoughtful and reasoned discussions on these matters, rather than resorting to vitriol and personal attacks.
In conclusion, Senator Tuberville’s steadfast determination to put an end to Defense Department abortion subsidies is a reflection of the concerns and values of many Americans. The extreme backlash he has faced highlights the need for respectful and constructive dialogue on controversial issues. It is imperative that we engage in robust discussions on the role of taxpayer dollars and the limits of government power in providing subsidies for certain procedures. Only through open and respectful discourse can we arrive at solutions that consider the diverse opinions and values of our society.
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