The U.S. Navy has officially ended a controversial policy that provided travel benefits for service members seeking abortions, reinforcing the Hyde Amendment’s restrictions on federal funding for abortion services.
Key Insights
- The Pentagon has terminated a policy that reimbursed service members for travel to states where abortion procedures are legal, effective February 25, 2024.
- This change follows President Trump’s executive order “Enforcing the Hyde Amendment,” which prevents federal funds from supporting elective abortions.
- The policy reversal has drawn strong support from Republican lawmakers who maintained taxpayer dollars should not fund abortion-related expenses.
- Democratic lawmakers argue the change disproportionately impacts servicewomen stationed in states with strict abortion laws.
- The original policy was implemented in 2023 under Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Trump Administration Reinforces Hyde Amendment
The U.S. Navy announced the termination of a policy that had provided travel reimbursement and paid leave for sailors seeking abortion services in states where they remain legal. The directive, which took effect on February 25, explicitly states that taxpayer dollars will no longer fund or reimburse for elective abortion-related travel expenses. This policy shift directly implements President Donald Trump’s executive order titled “Enforcing the Hyde Amendment,” which has historically prevented federal funding for elective abortions since 1976.
The previous policy, established in 2023 under the Biden administration after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, had allowed service members and their dependents stationed in states with abortion restrictions to receive travel benefits to access reproductive care elsewhere. Defense officials noted that relatively few troops and dependents had utilized the benefit during its implementation period, though exact numbers were not provided.
Republican Support for the Policy Change
The policy reversal has garnered strong support from Republican lawmakers who had previously criticized the Biden-era directive as an overreach that circumvented federal prohibitions on taxpayer funding for abortions. Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, who had staged a months-long protest that delayed over 400 military promotions over this issue, expressed particular satisfaction with the change.
“President Trump and Secretary Hegseth affirmed today what I’ve been fighting for since I got to Washington: ZERO taxpayer dollars should go towards abortions.” – Sen. Tommy Tuberville
Tuberville’s protest had become a significant point of contention within military circles and on Capitol Hill. The senator had maintained that the Biden administration’s policy violated the Hyde Amendment’s spirit by indirectly supporting abortion access through government-funded travel and paid leave. With the policy now rescinded, Tuberville has hailed the decision as a victory for those opposed to taxpayer funding of abortion-related services.
Democratic Opposition and Concerns
Democratic lawmakers have voiced strong opposition to the policy change, arguing that it disproportionately impacts servicewomen stationed in states with restrictive abortion laws. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren was particularly vocal about her concerns regarding the potential consequences for military personnel seeking reproductive healthcare.
“Our servicemembers go wherever they need to in order to bravely serve our country — and because President Trump’s extremist Supreme Court overturned Roe, where they and their families are stationed quite literally dictates their access to critical reproductive care. Now, Trump is turning his back on our servicemembers — and our servicewomen in particular — to score political points. It’s shameful, and will only make our troops and our nation less safe.” – Sen. Elizabeth Warren
Representative Mikie Sherrill, a Navy veteran herself, expressed personal concerns about the policy’s impact. She highlighted how the change could affect servicewomen stationed in states with strict abortion bans like Texas and Florida, noting that such restrictions would have directly impacted her during her own military service. Sherrill also mentioned her daughter currently serving in the Navy, adding another personal dimension to her opposition to the policy change.
Implications for Military Personnel
The policy reversal comes at a time when many states have enacted stricter abortion laws following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned the federal protections previously established by Roe v. Wade. For military personnel who cannot choose their duty stations, these state-level restrictions can create significant barriers to accessing reproductive healthcare services.
Without the travel benefits previously provided, servicemembers seeking abortion services in states where they are stationed may now face additional financial and logistical burdens. This is particularly challenging for junior enlisted personnel who may have more limited financial resources and time-off options. The policy change reinforces that the Department of Defense will adhere strictly to the Hyde Amendment’s restrictions on federal funding for abortion-related services.
Sources:
- Pentagon ends paying for travel for abortion and other reproductive care
- Trump Undoes Biden’s Abortion Legacy: Navy Will No Longer Pay for Sailors’ Abortions
