WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) in introducing the Modification to Department of Defense (DoD) Travel Authorities for Abortion-Related Expenses Act of 2023. The legislation would restrict the Secretary of Defense’s ability to provide paid leave and transportation for service members or their dependents to seek an abortion.

The bill would amend the department’s travel statute to eliminate a loophole that the DoD is exploiting. The legislation would ensure that the department's policies would reflect the current law and intent of the Hyde Amendment.

“At every turn the Biden administration is trying to use taxpayer dollars to fund unfettered access to abortion—even at the Defense Department. This bill would end the loophole that the DoD is abusing and reinforce current law,” said Kennedy.

“The Pentagon should not be mobilized against the unborn. The Department of Defense exists to defend life, not destroy it. Biden DoD’s policy is not just unlawful, it’s immoral. Congress has been clear; the Hyde Amendment protects taxpayers from being forced to fund abortions. I will continue to ensure the unborn and your tax dollars are protected,”said Ernst.

Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) also cosponsored the legislation. 

 Full bill text is available here.