Washington D.C., May 1, 2023 / 12:10 pm
After the U.S. Senate approved a Department of Veterans Affairs rule that provides for abortions at the department’s medical centers, the archbishop of military services issued a scathing letter condemning the Senate and the Biden administration.
The Senate voted 51-48 to affirm the new rule, which ensures VA medical centers provide abortion when the life or health of the mother is deemed to be at risk or in cases of rape or incest, regardless of state restrictions. The VA will also offer abortion counseling at medical centers. The rule does not have any conscience protections for doctors or other health care workers who object to providing abortions.
In a pastoral letter, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, who also serves as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said he was “deeply saddened” by the Senate’s action.
Broglio also condemned a Department of Defense policy that provides taxpayer funding for employees, spouses, and dependents to cover travel costs associated with procuring an abortion in another state if they are stationed in a state with abortion restrictions.