GOP Defectors Stop Senate Push to End Biden’s VA Abortion Policy

The Senate on Wednesday blocked a resolution to end the Department of Veterans Affairs’ ability to provide abortions under limited circumstances, even in states that restricted the procedure after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The resolution (S.J. Res. 10), introduced by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), would have rescinded the policy of providing abortions to veterans and some family members if carrying the pregnancy to term threatens their life or health. They are also eligible if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.

Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine), who have voted against their party before on abortion rights issues, joined 49 Democrats in voting against the measure. Forty-seven Senate Republicans, joined by Democrat Joe Manchin (W. Va.), voted to move forward. The White House earlier Wednesday had pledged to veto the resolution if it passed.

The VA provided 34 abortions from September, when the agency released the new policy, through February, according to a VA letter to members of Congress that was obtained by Bloomberg Government.