Austin News

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) introduced the VA Abortion Transparency Act, aiming to shed light on taxpayer-funded abortions at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Cornyn criticized President Biden's abortion policy at the VA, stating, "President Biden’s taxpayer-funded abortion policy at the Department of Veterans Affairs is a blatant violation of federal law, and the American people deserve to know the consequences of this careless decision."

The bill, supported by seven Republican colleagues including Senators Marsha Blackburn, Ted Budd, Kevin Cramer, Joni Ernst, Bill Hagerty, Roger Marshall, and John Thune, seeks to bring transparency to the VA's abortion practices. U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks also introduced companion legislation in the House.

The VA's decision to provide abortion services for veterans and their dependents, despite the explicit prohibition in the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992, has raised concerns among lawmakers. The VA reported facilitating 88 abortions between September 2022 and September 2023, with no updated data released since then despite congressional inquiries.

If passed, the VA Abortion Transparency Act would require quarterly reports detailing the total number of abortions facilitated by the VA, the methods used, and the gestational age at which the abortions occur. The bill has garnered support from organizations such as Heritage Action, CatholicVote, National Right to Life, March for Life Action, Concerned Women for America, and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.

The introduction of this legislation signals a push for accountability and transparency regarding taxpayer-funded abortions within the VA healthcare system.