President Trump and Republicans in Congress are advancing an onslaught of anti-woman, anti-reproductive freedom policies that dismantle women’s health care and strip away women’s rights. These policies that defund Planned Parenthood are effectively nothing less than a backdoor abortion ban and are part of a long-term agenda to shut down health centers, cut off access to birth control and cancer screenings, and ban abortion nationwide. If successful, these efforts will only worsen the abortion access crisis created by the Dobbs decision and state bans, making it harder for women everywhere to get the care they need, when they need it.
And now, extremists are escalating their attacks even further by targeting women veterans. Earlier this month, the Trump administration proposed a cruel rule to reinstate a near-total abortion ban at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), even in cases of rape or incest. This would roll back a Biden-era policy that allowed VA health providers to offer abortion counseling and services in cases of rape, incest, and when the life or health of the veteran was at risk. Under Trump’s proposal, only the narrowest exception would remain, putting essential care out of reach for countless women veterans and making the VA the only federal health provider with such an extreme restriction.
In direct response to this reckless decision, I introduced the Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act, legislation that would guarantee that veterans and eligible dependents can access abortion care, medication, and counseling through the VA, protected by law and free from partisan interference.
Women veterans are the fastest-growing and most diverse part of our military community. To deny them comprehensive reproductive health care is a betrayal of the sacred promise we made to those who served our nation. Veterans fought to defend our freedoms. They should not have to fight to access their health care. They should not have to fight for control over their own bodies.
I am proud to stand with Planned Parenthood and women across America to protect reproductive freedom, public health, and access to affordable, high-quality care. House Democrats will not let Republican extremists’ policies get away with endangering lives, stripping away women’s rights, and undermining our freedoms.
Resources for You
I know many of you are feeling anxious, angry, and overwhelmed. I hear your concerns, and I share your outrage. That is why I am fighting back. You can stay up-to-date on my work by going to my new Holding the Trump Administration Accountable page that details how House Democrats are using every tool at our disposal – including legislation, litigation, and oversight – to hold this administration accountable, protect our communities, and safeguard the rights of the American people.
To support our community during these challenging times, my office has also compiled a list of official resources. You can access them here.
There is much work to be done, and the stakes have never been higher. But we are all in this together, and I want to hear from you.
As always, my office remains open to assist you. If you or someone you know needs casework help with a federal agency, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (805) 379-1779. I’m here to help.
Sincerely,
JULIA BROWNLEY
Member of Congress
Issues: 119th Congress