A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to "Reproductive Health Services".
Summary
S.J.Res. 103 is a Congressional disapproval resolution that would overturn a Department of Veterans Affairs rule on reproductive health services. The resolution, if enacted, would reject a regulation that restricts abortion access at VA facilities. Under the current rule, the VA would only provide abortion care in very limited life-threatening circumstances. If this resolution passes both chambers of Congress, it would reverse that restriction and allow the VA to provide abortion care to veterans in cases of rape, incest, and when the life or health of the pregnant veteran would be endangered by carrying the pregnancy to term, as well as allow VA providers to discuss abortion options with patients experiencing unwanted or high-risk pregnancies.
This resolution has passed committee review and is eligible for a floor vote in the Senate. The measure was introduced by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and has support from Democratic members of Congress and various veterans and reproductive health organizations. However, the resolution faces significant opposition from Republican members of Congress. If enacted, this resolution would give veterans access to a broader range of reproductive healthcare services through the VA system.