WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) applauded the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) decision to lift some of its restrictions on access to abortion for veterans and VA beneficiaries in cases of rape, incest, and when the life of the mother is at risk. This announcement comes after Senator Rosen and her colleagues sent a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough calling on the department to allow veterans and their eligible dependents to access abortion care and all related services, which will impact more than 800,000 women—or half of female veterans in this country—who live in states likely to ban abortions.
“Our veterans have risked so much to protect our nation, and we owe it to them to defend their fundamental right to access reproductive care,” said Senator Rosen. “I applaud the Department of Veterans Affairs for taking an important step in the right direction by lifting some restrictions on abortion in certain circumstances for veterans and their families. As anti-choice legislators enact rigid abortion bans in more states, we must continue working to protect womens’ access to care.”
Senator Rosen has been a staunch advocate for reproductive rights. She joined 33 Senators in a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to take bold action to protect reproductive rights after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Senator Rosen also joined a letter to the Department of Defense urging them to take immediate action in protecting female servicemembers seeking abortion services.
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