East Idaho Times

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo, Jim Risch, and Tommy Tuberville have introduced the VA Abortion Transparency Act, aiming to increase transparency for taxpayers regarding abortions facilitated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Crapo expressed his concerns about the Biden Administration's approach, stating, “The Biden Administration’s thinly-veiled workaround forces taxpayers to fund abortion, violating both federal law and congressional intent. This bill gives American taxpayers the transparency they deserve through enhancing reporting requirements at the VA.”

Risch criticized the administration for its handling of veterans' care facilities, saying, “The Biden’s administration’s war on life led to veterans care facilities wrongfully providing abortions. American taxpayer dollars fund veterans’ care, so they have a right to have full transparency regarding just how many abortions the Biden administration has enabled through this deadly policy.”

Tuberville emphasized the importance of upholding the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992, stating, “Congress has spoken. The Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 clearly prohibits the VA from providing abortion services of any kind. For the Biden administration to twist the law into something other than what Congress intended and force the cost on the taxpayer is a disgrace."

The legislation has garnered support from various organizations, including Heritage Action, CatholicVote, National Right to Life, March for Life Action, Concerned Women for America, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Students for Life, and Americans United for Life. Additionally, several other senators have cosponsored the bill, including Senators Marsha Blackburn, Ted Budd, John Cornyn, Kevin Cramer, Joni Ernst, Bill Hagerty, Roger Marshall, John Thune, Mike Rounds, Mike Lee, and Marco Rubio.

The background of the issue stems from the Biden administration's decision in 2022 to allow abortions for veterans and their dependents through the VA health care system. Despite concerns raised by Congress and inquiries into the legality of the change, the VA proceeded with the regulation. As of October 2023, the VA reported facilitating 88 abortions, with no updated data released since then despite congressional requests for further information.