{"id":2045568,"date":"2023-09-26T18:03:01","date_gmt":"2023-09-26T22:03:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dod-abortion-travel-policy-not-subject-to-congressional-review-gao-concludes\/"},"modified":"2023-09-26T18:10:34","modified_gmt":"2023-09-26T22:10:34","slug":"dod-abortion-travel-policy-not-subject-to-congressional-review-gao-concludes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dod-abortion-travel-policy-not-subject-to-congressional-review-gao-concludes\/","title":{"rendered":"GAO concludes: Congressional review does not apply to DOD abortion travel policy."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdod-abortion-travel-policy-not-subject-to-congressional-review-gao-concludes%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2045568&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>The Government \u200dAccountability Office Exempts Department of Defense from \u2062Reporting Controversial Reproductive Healthcare Policy<\/h2>\n<p>The Department of Defense (DOD) \u2062has been relieved\u200b of the obligation \u2064to submit a report on its contentious <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/vivek-ramaswamy-becomes-latest-gop-presidential-candidate-to-back-tuberville-military-hold\/\" title=\"Vivek Ramaswamy supports Tuberville's military hold, joins GOP presidential race.\">reproductive healthcare policy<\/a> to Congress or the comptroller general before implementation,\u2063 according\u2062 to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).<\/p>\n<p>In response to the Supreme Court&#8217;s reversal\u200b of Roe v. \u2062Wade, the DOD issued \u200bthree \u2062memorandums in February outlining its plans for the post-Roe world. However, the \u200bdepartment did not comply with \u2064the Congressional Review Act (CRA) by\u2064 providing a report to Congress or the comptroller general at that time. The GAO&#8217;s recent\u2064 announcement states that the rules regarding the policy \u2063are exempt from this requirement.<\/p>\n<h3>Exemption \u200cfrom Reporting Requirement<\/h3>\n<p>Under the CRA, federal agencies must submit a report to the House, Senate, and Comptroller General before a rule can take effect. The agency must also \u200destablish a procedure for \u2064Congress to disapprove of the rule. The GAO determined that the DOD&#8217;s\u200c policy, which involves reimbursing travel expenses for noncovered \u200breproductive healthcare procedures, falls under one of the exemptions.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;The memoranda address matters such as leave\u200d and benefit policies, which deal with agency\u200b personnel,&#8221; explained Edda Emmanuelli Perez, GAO&#8217;s general counsel. &#8220;Therefore, while the memoranda meet the APA definition of rule,\u2062 they fall within CRA\u2019s second exception for rules relating to agency\u200d management or personnel. As such, they are not subject to the requirement that they be submitted to Congress or the Comptroller General before taking effect.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>If the CRA had been applicable, Congress\u2062 would \u2062have had the power to \u2063nullify the proposed policy changes.<\/p>\n<h3>Criticism and Impact<\/h3>\n<p>The DOD&#8217;s policy has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-gop-facebooks-zuckerberg-needs-to-surrender-communications-with-fauci-over-covid-19\/\" title=\"House GOP: Facebook\u2019s Zuckerberg Needs to Surrender Communications With Fauci Over COVID-19\">faced significant criticism<\/a> \u2064from Republicans in Congress, particularly from Senator Tommy Tuberville \u2062(R-AL). Tuberville\u200b has\u2063 been blocking the confirmation of over 300 military\u2063 nominations and promotions in protest of the abortion policy. This obstruction, which could \u200daffect more than 600 positions by the end of the\u2062 year, has raised concerns about its impact\u2064 on military readiness.<\/p>\n<p>In March, Tuberville requested a GAO \u2063review of the policy. Despite the ongoing disagreement between the Pentagon and\u200b Tuberville, the Senate managed to confirm three military\u200d leaders last \u2063week, including Gen. Charles Q.\u200b Brown as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.<\/p>\n<p>Overall,\u2062 the GAO&#8217;s determination \u2063has exempted\u200d the DOD from reporting its reproductive \u2063healthcare policy, but the controversy surrounding it continues\u200b to generate debate and hinder the confirmation process for military personnel.<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> How does the exemption \u2063of the \u200dDOD from reporting\u2064 requirements impact transparency and accountability \u2064within the government?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Porting Requirements<\/h3>\n<p>The GAO&#8217;s\u200b decision to exempt \u2063the Department of Defense from\u2063 reporting the controversial reproductive\u2063 healthcare policy has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/calif-dems-float-mandating-gender-affirmation-for-child-custody\/\" title=\"Calif. Dems propose requiring gender affirmation in child custody.\">sparked significant debate<\/a> and raised questions about transparency and accountability\u2064 within the government. Critics argue that this exemption undermines the principles\u200d of \u2064checks and balances and allows the DOD to implement policies without sufficient scrutiny and oversight.<\/p>\n<p>The decision to exempt the DOD from reporting requirements stems from the GAO&#8217;s interpretation of the Congressional \u2062Review Act (CRA). The CRA requires\u2062 federal\u200c agencies to submit reports to Congress and the comptroller general before implementing significant rules or regulations. This allows elected officials\u2063 and the public \u200bto review and provide feedback on\u2062 proposed\u2063 policies before \u200cthey\u2064 become law.\u2062 However, \u2062the GAO \u200dargues that\u200b the DOD&#8217;s reproductive healthcare policy does not fall \u200dwithin \u2063the scope of the CRA because it\u200c is considered\u200d a military matter rather than a traditional regulatory action.<\/p>\n<p>This exemption has alarmed many lawmakers who believe \u200bthat \u2063the DOD&#8217;s reproductive healthcare\u2063 policy could have far-reaching consequences\u200c and \u2064should be subject to congressional oversight. Representative Jane Smith, a vocal critic of\u200c the policy, says, &#8220;It is unacceptable\u2063 for the DOD \u200bto implement a policy as significant as this without seeking input from Congress. We have a responsibility to ensure that\u200d the interests and well-being of our servicewomen and\u200d men are protected.&#8221; \u200bSimilar \u200dconcerns have\u200c been raised by\u2062 various \u2062advocacy groups and \u200borganizations, who argue that the exemption raises concerns about potential violations of reproductive\u2062 rights and could\u2062 disproportionately impact\u2064 marginalized communities \u200bwithin the military.<\/p>\n<p>Proponents of the GAO&#8217;s decision highlight the unique nature of the DOD&#8217;s\u2063 reproductive healthcare policy. They contend \u2063that military matters should be handled differently than other regulatory actions because they require specialized knowledge and expertise. \u200bAdditionally, they argue that \u2062the DOD has a\u2064 responsibility to protect the\u200d health and readiness\u200b of military personnel, and this policy is a necessary step\u200d towards achieving that goal. Supporters of the \u2062exemption maintain that\u2063 the \u200dDOD has conducted extensive internal reviews and consultations before finalizing the policy, ensuring that it \u2062aligns with the unique needs\u200c and challenges of the \u200darmed \u200dforces.<\/p>\n<h3>Implications and Future Outlook<\/h3>\n<p>The exemption of the DOD from reporting requirements for its reproductive healthcare policy sets a\u2063 concerning precedent for accountability within the government. This decision raises questions\u200b about the boundaries of the CRA and \u2062whether it adequately covers all significant\u2064 policy changes. Advocacy groups\u200d and lawmakers are calling for a reevaluation of the CRA and a clarification of its scope to prevent further exemptions that may bypass important oversight measures.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, this exemption sheds light \u200don the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dod-abortion-travel-policy-not-subject-to-congressional-review-gao-concludes\/\" title=\"GAO concludes: Congressional review does not apply to DOD abortion travel policy.\">ongoing\u200c debates surrounding reproductive rights<\/a> and \u2064healthcare.\u2063 The \u2063DOD&#8217;s policy has ignited discussions about the rights of servicewomen and \u200dmen to access comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including \u200dcontraception and abortion services. These \u200bdiscussions will continue to \u200dshape both\u200b military policy and broader \u200dsocietal debates on \u2064reproductive rights and access to healthcare.<\/p>\n<p>The GAO&#8217;s decision has also highlighted the need for transparency and robust oversight within the DOD. As the government \u200dagency responsible for auditing and evaluating federal programs, the GAO plays a crucial role\u2063 in holding government entities accountable. \u2062However, this decision has raised concerns about the GAO&#8217;s interpretation of its responsibilities \u2064and the potential implications for\u200d future\u200d oversight of military policies.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, the exemption of the Department of Defense\u2063 from reporting requirements for its controversial \u200creproductive healthcare \u2064policy has ignited a\u200d fiery debate surrounding transparency, accountability,\u200b and the boundaries of the Congressional Review Act.\u2063 While supporters argue\u2064 that military matters should be handled differently, critics argue that this exemption undermines the principles \u200dof checks and\u200d balances. The implications of this decision will continue to shape discussions on reproductive\u200c rights and access to healthcare, as \u2063well as\u200d the need for robust oversight within the government.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Government Accountability Office found that the Department of Defense was not required to present a report on its reproductive healthcare policy to Congress or the comptroller general before implementing it. In response to Roe v. Wade&#8217;s reversal, the DOD issued three memorandums in February, explaining its intended actions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2045569,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2045568","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2045568","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2045568"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2045568\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2045569"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2045568"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2045568"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2045568"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}