WASHINGTON, D.C. —  In direct response to the Trump administration’s proposed rule to roll back abortion access for veterans, Democratic Women’s Caucus Member Julia Brownley (CA-26) announced the introduction of the Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act, which would guarantee that veterans and eligible dependents have the protected legal right to receive abortion care, medication, and counseling through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), without interference from political appointees or partisan agendas.

The Trump administration’s proposed rule would reinstate the VA’s near total abortion ban, including in cases of rape or incest. If finalized, this policy would strip access to care for veterans across the country, forcing them to either go without essential reproductive health services or seek care outside the VA.

“More than two million women veterans live in the United States today – and they comprise the fastest-growing and most diverse group in our military and veteran community. To deny them access to comprehensive reproductive care is a betrayal of the sacred promise we have made to serve our veterans as well as they have served our nation,” said DWC Member Julia Brownley (CA-26). 

“The Trump administration’s reckless decision to dismantle the VA’s reproductive health policy is a direct attack on women veterans’ freedom and bodily autonomy. Veterans should be able to make personal decisions about their health and futures without interference from politicians or appointed officials. Their access to care should not change with each administration.”

“As Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, I have worked to identify disparities in care and fight to close those gaps. That is why I am introducing the Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act, to protect abortion access at VA once and for all. This legislation will ensure veterans are not subjected to the personal beliefs or political agendas of whoever happens to lead the department,” continued Rep. Brownley.

In September 2022, following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the VA used its rulemaking authority under the Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 to allow VA health care providers to offer abortion counseling and abortion services in cases of rape, incest, and the life and health of the veteran. 

Prior to that rule, VA enforced the most restrictive abortion ban of any federal health care agency. The Biden-era policy survived legal challenges and was finalized in March 2023.

On August 4, 2025, the Trump administration issued a proposed rule to repeal the 2022 policy. While the new rule preserves a narrow exception when the life of the pregnant person is at risk, it eliminates VA’s ability to provide abortion care in nearly all other cases. If implemented, the rule would once again make the VA the only major federal health provider with such an extreme restriction.

This bill would end the uncertainty created by shifting agency policies and eliminate ambiguity in the rulemaking process when it comes to veterans’ health care. It would enshrine in law a veteran’s right to access abortion care at VA, ensuring that reproductive health services are not subject to the personal views or political agendas of any future Secretary or administration. Veterans deserve consistent, guaranteed access to the care they’ve earned instead of a patchwork of policies that change with every administration.

“Veterans fought to defend our freedoms. They should not have to fight again to access health care. This legislation will ensure that no future administration can strip away reproductive freedom from the individual,” added Rep. Brownley.

“Our servicewomen risk everything to serve our country. We must in turn provide them the health care and services they earned throughout their lifetime—including comprehensive reproductive health care. The Trump administration’s latest push to take away abortion care for veterans is wrong and a betrayal of that service and dedication,” said Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03). “We must pass the Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act to codify the right to abortion care for every veteran who fought for the rights and freedoms of every person in this country. The Democratic Women’s Caucus will always fight for women, for veterans, and against Trump and Republicans’ constant attacks on reproductive health care.” 

“This decision will have untold ramifications and could cost many veterans — and their family members — their lives. By eliminating access to abortion care, without regard to rape, incest, or life of the mother, the Trump administration is turning their backs on the women who have honorably served this country,” said Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus Task Force on Servicewomen, Women Veterans, and Military Families (PA-06). ”As a veteran and the Chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus task force on servicewomen, women veterans, and military families, my colleagues and I demand that this decision be reversed immediately and that veterans and their families receive access to full reproductive care.”

"Donald Trump and Republicans claim to support veterans, but even veterans are not spared under this administration's extreme anti-abortion, anti-freedom agenda," said Congressional Reproductive Freedom Caucus Co-Chairs Diana DeGette (CO-01) and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07). "Those who fight for our country abroad have earned the right for their needs to be met at home. But Donald Trump's plan is to bring them home to targeted abortion restrictions undermining their bodily autonomy and the quality of their family’s health care. We refuse to let that stand. Our Caucus is proud to support the important work of Chair Brownley's VA, Servicemembers, and Veterans Task Force and the introduction of this critical legislation.”

“VA’s decision to roll back a rule protecting veterans’ reproductive rights makes Congresswoman Brownley’s legislation more critical than ever,” said Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39), Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Veterans have earned the right to healthcare. Full stop. This ban on reproductive healthcare will endanger countless veterans. We will continue to fight for those veterans as the Trump administration unashamedly disrespects women veterans and their choice to make personal healthcare decisions about their bodies and their health.” 

“Veterans and their families deserve access to abortion care,” said Jackii Wang, senior legislative analyst at the National Women’s Law Center. “Veterans already face serious health challenges, from PTSD and military sexual trauma to a heightened risk of suicide. Blocking access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion, only deepens these harms. Our leaders should be protecting veterans’ health and dignity, not enacting policies that restrict their autonomy. We’re grateful to Representative Brownley for championing this vital legislation to ensure veterans and their loved ones get the care they need, when they need it.”

“This is a needlessly cruel policy change from the Trump-Vance Administration that will hurt our veterans. As a practicing OB-GYN, I know that abortion is part of the reproductive health care that every person must have access to in order to protect their well-being,” said Dr. Raegan McDonald-Mosley, CEO of Power to Decide. “Veterans have historically faced significant barriers to health care, and this policy once again betrays our nation’s commitment to them. Power to Decide condemns this policy and urges Congress to support the Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act to ensure all veterans have access to the abortion care they need when and where they need it. Our veterans fought for us and we will fight for their rights and health.”

“This should not be up for debate: Veterans and their families deserve access to the full range of sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion counseling and care,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund. “Veterans, like all of us, should have the freedom to control whether, when, and how they build their families. To truly support our veterans and their families, we must protect and expand their access to the health care they need, not take it away to serve a political agenda. We thank Rep. Brownley for introducing this critical legislation to protect military families' access to reproductive health care in the face of attacks on their reproductive freedom.”

“Imagine serving this country in the military, putting your life on the line and dedicating your career to protecting others' freedoms, only to be denied essential medical care on US soil. More than two million women veterans live in the U.S. today, and they deserve to have their health, rights, and freedoms protected-- including the right to abortion care,” said Sara Outterson, Legislative Counsel for the Center for Reproductive Rights. “The Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act is urgently needed to ensure that veterans have access to the health care they need and deserve.”

The Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act is endorsed by the Democratic Women’s Caucus, National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, Center for Reproductive Rights, Power to Decide, Reproductive Freedom For All, Minority Veterans of America, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, National Council of Jewish Women, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Guttmacher Institute, National Partnership for Women & Families, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Reproductive Freedom Caucus.

Read the full text of the bill here.

 

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Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, engineer, entrepreneur, educator, and nonprofit leader. She is serving her fourth consecutive term representing the people of Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. Houlahan is the first female veteran to be named as Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee’s Military Personnel Subcommittee and a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Houlahan is also chair of the Economic Growth and Cost of Living Task Force on the New Democrat Coalition.