A coalition of nearly 50 pro-life organizations, including prominent groups like the Heritage Foundation and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, are urging House Republicans to utilize the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to overturn a Department of Defense policy. This policy grants service members time off and travel reimbursement for abortions.

The coalition argues that the Biden administration's policy politicizes the DoD by using taxpayer funds for elective abortions. They've formally requested House Republican leadership to repeal this policy to ensure a "clean" NDAA.

Experts like Thomas Spoehr of the Heritage Foundation highlight the policy's conflict with existing laws prohibiting federal abortion funding, emphasizing the NDAA as the appropriate mechanism for Congressional intervention. While the House Armed Services Committee approved the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2024, the coalition stresses the importance of full policy repeal during floor debates.

The contested policy emerged after the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade. The coalition claims this shift followed pressure from the Biden administration's Taskforce on Reproductive Healthcare Access, contradicting earlier DoD guidance.

Ryan Walker of Heritage Action for America criticizes the policy implementation, claiming it circumvented Congress and established procedures. This move is seen as politicizing the NDAA process. With the upcoming NDAA reauthorization, House Republicans have introduced amendments targeting this policy and other "woke" initiatives concerning gender and diversity, equity, and inclusion within the military.

The coalition's letter concludes by highlighting the public's desire for a military focused on national defense rather than cultural debates, noting public disapproval of taxpayer-funded abortions. They urge the House to rectify what they perceive as politically motivated actions and pass a clean NDAA.