Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title United States Code, of the Rule Submitted By the Department of Veterans Affairs Relating to ``Reproductive Health Services''--motion to

Floor Speech

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Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr President, I rise in opposition to S.J. Res. 10 to roll back protections for veterans and their family members who are seeking to access basic reproductive healthcare. I would like to thank Senator Murray, Senator Baldwin, and Senator Duckworth for their leadership in standing against this resolution.

Almost 10 months ago, the Supreme Court issued a ruling overruling nearly five decades of precedent protecting a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions. Now, women are at the mercy of a patchwork of State laws governing their ability to access reproductive care, leaving them with fewer rights than their moms and grandmas.

S.J. Res. 10 is yet another attempt to roll back women's access to care. It would overturn a decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs to allow veterans and their family members to access basic healthcare. Currently, the rule allows Veterans Affairs doctors to provide counseling and care to women veterans and beneficiaries covered by Veterans Affairs insurance, as well as abortion care in the case of rape, incest, or when the life or health of the women is at risk. The rule is limited, and the Department has said that Veterans Affairs doctors, nurses, or healthcare professionals can opt out of providing abortion care.

Women across the country are already facing so much uncertainty because of the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. This resolution threatens the lives and health of women veterans who risked their lives for our country. Today, we are standing up for them by making it clear that we will not settle for a reality where they cannot access basic care.

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