Dear John,

Since we emailed you last, the House and Senate have begun final negotiations on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The House has pushed forward anti-abortion language that would harm service members and their loved ones seeking abortion care, but they have also included a provision that would eliminate contraceptive copays for service members and dependents who still face out-of-pocket costs. The Senate version of the bill does not have either of these amendments—effectively defending abortion rights, but not making the progress we need to see on birth control access.

While the House and Senate meet to negotiate their respective versions into a final bill, we need to fight to make sure the anti-abortion language is left out and the contraception amendment is included—and ultimately signed into law!

Tell Congress: Fight for Reproductive Rights for Military Families

We can’t let extremists have the final say in the NDAA.

TAKE ACTION

Every time the final NDAA gets hashed out behind closed doors, a key provision to improve access to contraception gets stripped from the final bill. And, this year, extremists are trying to add a provision to limit abortion access to further their anti-abortion agenda. We can’t let Congress do that. Urge your members of Congress to protect access to birth control and abortion for all service members and their families in the final NDAA!

-Jackii

--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jackii Wang
Date: July 26, 2023 1:16 PM
Subject: Tell the Senate: Protect reproductive health care for military families

Fighting for gender justice in the courts, in public policy, and in our society.
Justice for her. Justice for all.

Dear John,

Right now, anti-abortion extremists in Congress are trying to use the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to restrict reproductive health care for service members and their families! Usually, the bill passes with bipartisan support, but the House has passed it with an amendment that makes it harder for service members to access abortion. We need the Senate to respond to this blatant attack on reproductive health care and send a message that protects abortion access and eliminates barriers to contraception!

Tell the Senate: Protect Reproductive Health Care for Military Families

Service members and their families deserve access to abortion and contraception!

TAKE ACTION

The Senate is currently considering passage of the NDAA—and two amendments have been filed that would critically impact reproductive health care for service members and their families:

THE GOOD: NDAA Amendment #536 would eliminate contraceptive copays for service members and dependents who still face out-of-pocket costs. It is critical that this provision passes into law.
THE BAD: NDAA Amendment #503 would strip important protections that ensure service members are given leave and financial resources when seeking abortion care off base, including for their dependents. The Senate must oppose any anti-abortion language in the NDAA.

Service members and their families deserve access to all reproductive health care. The Senate can take action to get us closer to that goal. Because everyone should have access to birth control without barriers, like out-of-pocket costs, and access to abortion care so that they can decide if and when they want to have children. We must urge the Senate to respond to extremists in the House and protect access to birth control and abortion for all service members and their families TODAY!

In solidarity,

Jackii Wang
she/her/hers
Senior Legislative Analyst
National Women's Law Center

DONATE

Please forward this email to your friends and co-workers and encourage them to sign up to receive NWLC emails in their own inboxes.

National Women's Law Center
1350 I St. NW Ste. 700
Washington, DC xxxxxx
United States