The Pentagon on Tuesday remained tough on policies targeting abortion travel as senators’ protest tactics soon resulted in the absence of top officials in three military branches.
After Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville single-handedly blocked the promotion of generals and admirals to the military, the Marine Corps had already left without a confirmed commander, and the Army and Navy’s top officers were dismissed in mid-August. I will surrender the job by. according to Go to Military.com. But the Pentagon on Tuesday denounced the criticism, saying it had no plans to back down on the policy, which allows female soldiers to pay for travel to get abortions out of state.
“Again, military personnel do not have the right to choose which states they are sent or stationed in. Therefore, this policy is intended to ensure that all military personnel are treated fairly. Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder said in a speech. press conference on Tuesday. (Related: Biden to keep Space Force command in Colorado amid bickering with Alabama senators)
In late July, about 5,000 current and former military personnel Sent A letter to Senate leadership supporting the suspension of Mr. Tuberville until the Department of Defense (DOD) lifts its “subsidies for abortion” policy.
“It is also our responsibility to ensure that our military personnel have access to medical care wherever they are stationed,” Ryder said.
The signatories argued that the policy was illegal. skirt A long-standing law known as the Hyde Amendment prohibits federal funding of abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or the mother’s life is in danger.
Ryder responded to the allegations on Tuesday, calling them “clearly false.” “Again, the Department of Defense has no policy on abortion.”
“We do not pay for abortions. We ensure that military personnel receive fair treatment for medical care,” he added.
Army Chief of Staff Admiral James McConville is scheduled to retire on Aug. 8, and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Gilday is also due to retire in mid-August. The Senate will likely go into summer recess on Thursday and not reconvene until September, according to Military.com, so the Army, Navy and Marines will likely have acting secretaries until a solution is found. It says.
Ryder did not say whether Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had lobbied Senate Democrats to encourage individual votes on at least some of the most sensitive vacancies, such as those in the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He also avoided questions about possible compromises with Mr. Tuberville, adding that the Pentagon’s legislative branch is working on the issue.
“I mean, we don’t want to get into the legislative process, other than to say we have a very clear policy to support military personnel,” Ryder said.
All these jobs are done.
My suspension does not affect national security. https://t.co/hhXcD4gxQV
— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) July 31, 2023
Biden administration officials say the blockade undermines readiness, creates uncertainty in the chain of command, and makes it difficult to authorize even basic missions.
“[When] Police officers of ranks of authority cannot be placed, and in many cases the work must be passed further up the chain of command, which not only begins to create an administrative burden over time, but also creates friction. also occurs. Because they’re trying to do their job, they can’t get permission to do things right away,” Ryder said. “And obviously, the higher the chain goes, the more friction there is.”
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