Modification to Department of Defense Travel Authorities for Abortion-Related Expenses Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-822
Sponsor: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
Introduced: 2023-03-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Military personnel and dependents
Sex and reproductive health
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-15
text: 

Modification to Department of Defense Travel Authorities for Abortion-Related Expenses Act of 2023

 
This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from providing certain funding related to abortion services.
 
First, the bill terminates the DOD memorandum titled 
Ensuring Access to Reproductive Health Care 
(October 20, 2022). Such memo sets forth DOD policies and procedures in response to the Supreme Court's ruling in 
Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization
. Under the bill, DOD may not obligate or expend funds to carry out the objectives of the memo or any successor memo.
 
Next, the bill prohibits DOD from providing any actual or necessary expenses of travel or transportation related to official travel for a member of the Armed Forces or a dependent of such a member who is seeking an abortion or any abortion-related service (except in the case of rape or incest, or when the mother's life is in danger).
 
The bill provides that limited access of a member of the Armed Forces or a dependent to an abortion or abortion-related services due to the member's duty location does not constitute an unusual, extraordinary, hardship, or emergency circumstance for which travel and transportation allowances may be provided (except in the case of rape or incest, or when the mother's life is in danger).
 
The bill also prohibits a member of the Armed Forces from taking convalescent leave or using an administrative absence for travel related to receiving an abortion or abortion-related service (except in the case of rape or incest, or when the mother's life is in danger).

action_date: 2023-07-25
text: 

Modification to Department of Defense Travel Authorities for Abortion-Related Expenses Act of 2023

 
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide Congress with a briefing or report that assesses certain DOD policies and practices regarding abortion care for members of the Armed Forces. Among other elements, the briefing or report must assess the legality of DOD implementing policies that allow members of the Armed Forces to seek elective abortions or other medical procedures that are not covered by DOD. The report or briefing must assess the legality with respect to certain existing requirements and prohibitions related to abortion and family planning services.
 
DOD must take necessary precautions to prevent the disclosure of any personal identifiable information of individuals included in the assessment for the briefing or report.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-25
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 146.
action_date: 2023-07-25
text: Committee on Armed Services. Reported by Senator Reed with an amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2023-07-25
text: Committee on Armed Services. Reported by Senator Reed with an amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2023-06-21
text: Committee on Armed Services. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2023-03-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2023-03-15
text: Introduced in Senate