The Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee have approved an amendment to a funding bill that would prevent federal funds from being used for abortions or gender-affirming care at Veteran Affairs (VA) facilities. Additionally, the amendment would ban the display of Pride flags at these centers. The amendments were passed by a party-line vote of 34-27 within the committee.
The Democrats on the committee criticized the majority for their focus on culture war issues instead of exploring other avenues to improve care for veterans. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), the ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, voiced her displeasure with her Republican colleagues’ pursuit of “nonissues.”
Rep. Wasserman Schultz pointed out that the VA supports all veterans, regardless of which Republicans may find it comfortable. She also highlighted that the Pride flag was created by a veteran and has been flown at VA facilities during June for the past three years. She questioned why this has suddenly become an issue, stating that the committee is wasting its time.
Last September, the VA issued a rule permitting abortion counseling and certain abortions for pregnant veterans and VA beneficiaries, which drew criticism from conservative Congress members. An attempt by Senate Republicans to overturn this policy failed in April.
Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) argued that the amendment merely serves to clarify previous legislation explicitly stating that the VA cannot provide women’s healthcare services, including abortions. Aderholt referenced a 1992 bill that prohibits the VA from offering pregnancy care, except in cases where complications arise due to service-related conditions. However, the VA has since expanded its services to cover pregnancy care for beneficiaries.
The amendment includes exceptions for cases of incest, rape, and when the mother’s life is at risk.
Republican committee members justified their actions by stating that they were addressing “controversial policies” and preventing the VA from promoting “political messaging.”
Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.) expressed support for the amendment, stating that it ensures individuals who hold religious views supporting traditional marriage are not denied fair treatment under the law.
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), who is openly gay, criticized the amendments and sarcastically suggested that they didn’t go far enough. He referenced the conservative backlash towards transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, who promoted Bud Light, by humorously suggesting a ban on the beer brand to prevent people from becoming gay. Pocan argued that these amendments follow Vladimir Putin’s playbook and that instead, we should be expressing gratitude and support for the LGBTQI+ individuals who have served in the military.
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