ICYMI: Blumenthal Pushes Collins to Protect Veterans' Reproductive Rights

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing yesterday, Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) pressed Doug Collins, the nominee to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to commit to protecting veterans' access to reproductive care under the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) current rule to offer abortion counseling and care in certain cases.

"I expect the Administration to consider the existing rule legally binding, unless it is replaced or struck down," said Blumenthal. "I believe that rolling back this policy would unnecessarily risk the lives and health of pregnant veterans in states with abortion bans and care restrictions in the post-Dobbs era."

Following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision which repealed Roe v. Wade, VA published a rule in 2022 to allow abortion counseling and care in cases of rape, incest, and the endangerment of the life or health of a pregnant veteran. Before this rulemaking, there was a complete ban on abortion care and counseling at VA-even if a pregnancy was endangering a veterans' life or a veteran had been raped.

During his questioning, Blumenthal asked Collins to commit to informing the Committee if the Trump Administration were to reconsider this rule, in order to ensure the Committee is able to perform its oversight function: "You have been asked…whether you will continue to abide by the VA rule concerning abortion, counseling, and care in cases of rape, incest, life or health endangerment of a pregnant veteran. Will you commit that you will inform this Committee if and when you begin reconsideration of the present rule?"

A staunch advocate of protecting and defending women's right to make choices about their own reproductive health care, Blumenthal co-leads the Women's Health Protection Act to guarantee access to abortion across the country and restore the right to comprehensive reproductive health care for millions of Americans.

The full text of Blumenthal's exchange with Collins on VA's abortion policy is copied below.

Blumenthal:You have been asked, and I think you have answered, and I do not want to repeat this issue, whether you will continue to abide by the VA rule concerning abortion, counseling, and care in cases of rape, incest, life or health endangerment of a pregnant veteran. Will you commit that you will inform this Committee if and when you begin reconsideration of the present rule? <_o3a_p>

Collins:I will keep this Committee informed. The Chairman and Ranking Member will know any of the discussions as we begin toward that decision.<_o3a_p>

Blumenthal:As you begin consideration, you will let us know? <_o3a_p>

Collins:We'll get into that when we get in there, and I will keep the Committee informed of things we have going on. I have to get in there first, if confirmed by this Committee I hope to earn votes from, we will see what we got when we get there. <_o3a_p>