Did You Know That Our Military Women Don’t Have Abortion Covered in Cases of Rape and Incest? Veterans Are Working to Fix This.

Yesterday was Veteran’s Day. I have had the honor of meeting some of the incredible veterans – retired military officers and non-commissioned officers – who have come together to right a wrong. Currently, federal law bans coverage of abortion for military women (and military dependents) who become pregnant due to sexual assault. The vets are working to get this unfair law changed.

These officers told us that the first thing they had been taught was that it was their responsibility to “take care of the troops.” To a person, these veterans are fighting against this ban as an extension of that responsibility.

Specifically, they support an amendment to the National Defense Re-Authorization Act (NDAA) that Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) offered in the Armed Services Committee to end this ban. And, they succeeded. The Shaheen Amendment passed out of Committee with a bi-partisan vote. In fact, both Senators Carl Levin and John McCain (the Chairman and Senior Republican on the Committee) voted for the provision.

Before the end of this year, Congress will finalize the NDAA. Anti-choice Members of Congress have stated that they oppose the Shaheen amendment and will fight to keep it out of the final bill.

If we really want to honor these veterans, these men and women who have stood for us, we have to stand with them. We have to shoulder some of their burden for taking care of the troops.

Let Congress know that it is unacceptable that military women who have been raped do not have coverage for abortion. Write to your representatives and tell them that the final version of the NDAA must include the Shaheen Amendment. (You can do so by clicking here.)

To learn more about some of these amazing veterans who are still fighting for their troops, visit Stand With Servicewomen. We owe them this.