Hartzler, Slotkin Fight to Protect Parental Rights of Military Academy Cadets

Press Release

U.S. Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), alongside Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), introduced the bipartisan Candidates Afforded Dignity, Equality and Training Act, or CADET Act, mandating an end to current policy that forces female students in America's military academies to withdraw from the military should they become pregnant.

Under the CADET Act, military academies will treat pregnancies in line with the rest of the military, without changing cadet and midshipmen benefits or responsibilities, and this bill does not change current admission requirements for military academies.

"Courageously dedicating your life to serving our nation should never mean being forced to choose between your child, leaving a military academy, or even worse -- abortion," Hartzler said. "I am proud to support the CADET Act alongside Rep. Slotkin and Sens. Cruz and Gillibrand, advocating on behalf of military women and the welfare of their children."

"The young women who sign up to serve our country in the Armed Forces shouldn't have to choose between their military career and their family planning rights," Slotkin said. "Our service academies should welcome the best and the brightest in our country, regardless of their parental status. The CADET Act will do away with the antiquated policies that force young women to make those kinds of choices, ensuring the men and women serving our country can make the best career and family decisions for themselves."

Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced companion legislation to the CADET Act in the Senate.

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