On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville's (R-Auburn) resolution to overturn the Veterans Affairs Department's new abortion policy was blocked by the Democrat-controlled Senate in a 48-51 vote.
The Congressional Review Act (CRA) would have reversed a new rule that authorizes VA facilities to perform abortions, even in states like Alabama that have banned or regulated abortions.
"In September the VA announced they were going to start performing abortions. The VA had never done abortions before," Tuberville said during a press conference before the vote. "... There has been a bipartisan consensus for 40 years that we should not spend taxpayer dollars on abortion. Many of the Senators complaining about this resolution have voted for the Hyde Amendment. Some of them have voted for the Hyde Amendment many times. This is an attack on doctors and nurses who have conscience objections."
Tuberville said the VA's new policy is illegal and a "slap in the face to the people who don't want to pay for abortions."
This new policy is a violation of the law.
— SBA Pro-Life America (@sbaprolife) April 19, 2023
It's a slap in the face to the people who don't want to pay for abortions.@SenTuberville pic.twitter.com/kPe1ho0z23
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) voted to advance the resolution and was an original co-sponsor of the CRA when it was introduced n February.
"The Biden Administration is clearly using the VA to circumvent and erode the longstanding, bipartisan, and lifesaving law of the land that prohibits hard-earned taxpayer dollars from being used for abortions," said Britt. "At the end of the day, the VA should be focused on eliminating bureaucratic barriers, clearing backlogs, and ensuring our veterans have access to the world-class health care that they deserve, not funding the far-left's radical political agenda. I will continue to fight to defend life, support parents, grow opportunities for hardworking families, and preserve the American Dream for our children and our children's children."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email daniel.taylor@1819news.com.
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