The US Department of Defense confirmed yesterday that it will continue to assist military personnel who want to terminate pregnancy, if they wish, even if there is opposition and obstruction to a Republican senator.
“We will not change our policy that guarantees all members of the armed forces equitable access to reproductive health care,” Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters.
Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville opposes the Pentagon’s policy of financial assistance for female members who need to travel for abortions, as several states have revoked the right to terminate pregnancies after a Supreme Court ruling last year.
Because of this opposition, the senator deliberately blocked hundreds of nominations for military positions for several months.
The US Navy, Army and Marine Corps are leaderless due to the blockade imposed by an Alabama senator.
Admiral Mike Gilday resigned as commander of the US Navy on Monday, and his designated successor, Lisa Franchitti, has yet to be confirmed by the US Senate.
Admiral Lisa Franchitti, the current second-in-command and first woman appointed to command the US Navy, will combine the two positions and serve as interim.
Army and Marine Corps leaders are in the same position, and concern is growing with the departure of Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The Senate can bypass this impediment by taking a vote on each nomination, but the process becomes much longer than the usual unanimous approval procedure without a vote.
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