Heinrich files amendment to protect reproductive rights for the military

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich filed an amendment on Tuesday to codify a rule protecting veteran access to abortion in the case of rape, incest or the life and health of the pregnant person. The legislation is an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. It will, if […]

Heinrich files amendment to protect reproductive rights for the military

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich filed an amendment on Tuesday to codify a rule protecting veteran access to abortion in the case of rape, incest or the life and health of the pregnant person.

The legislation is an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. It will, if enacted, codify the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs rule that protects both veterans and their beneficiaries’ access to abortion in certain circumstances.

Without legislation, agency rules are subject to change under each new executive administration. The amendment, if enacted, would protect service members, veterans and their families when they are stationed in states that ban abortion.

The appropriations bill is expected to come before the full Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday. Heinrich is a member of the committee.

This is one step of many Heinrich has taken to protect reproductive rights. He also cosponsored the Protecting Service Members and Military Families’ Access to Health Care Act, which seeks to codify the U.S. Department of Defense’s current policy of ensuring access to reproductive health care, including abortion, to service members and their families, regardless of the state the service member is stationed.

Heinrich said through a press release that it’s important to protect reproductive health care for military personnel, veterans and their families.

“Our military personnel, veterans, and their loved ones have sacrificed to defend our
freedoms. We need to protect their freedom to access the reproductive health care they
deserve. Instead, Republicans want to dismantle veterans’ access to abortion even in
cases of rape, incest, and where the life of the mother is at stake. That’s shameful. My
amendment will protect veterans from this attack. It’s the bare minimum we can do,” Heinrich said through the release.

We're ad free

That means that we rely on support from readers like you. Help us keep reporting on the most important New Mexico Stories by donating today.

Related

Legislators talk potential changes to criminal competency process

Legislators talk potential changes to criminal competency process

Criminal competency initiatives are a major part of public safety discussions by legislators and other state leaders both before and since the July 18…
LFC delivers BernCo crime update, offers suggestions

LFC delivers BernCo crime update, offers suggestions

A Legislative Finance Committee report said a way for New Mexico to try to alleviate its crime problems, it should seek to fix the…
‘Extreme disappointment’: Legislators discuss public safety challenges

‘Extreme disappointment’: Legislators discuss public safety challenges

The interim Legislative Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee discussed New Mexico’s crime situation during its meeting Monday.  Legislative Finance Committee staff presented on public…
Hydropanels present opportunities to harvest water from the air, with some limitations

Hydropanels present opportunities to harvest water from the air, with some limitations

Could a panel that pulls water out of the air end the need to haul water for thousands of New Mexico families? That’s what…
Stansbury answers Manzano High School students’ water and climate questions

Stansbury answers Manzano High School students’ water and climate questions

U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury emphasized the power of youth engagement as she spoke about climate change and water with Manzano High School students on…
Haaland at DNC: Harris will confront climate change

Haaland at DNC: Harris will confront climate change

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland highlighted Vice President Kamala Harris’ record on the environment on the final night of the Democratic National…
Early childhood summit convened to discuss future of program

Early childhood summit convened to discuss future of program

About 200 people from tribal governors to legislators to advocates and teachers gathered at Bishop’s Lodge to discuss Early Childhood Education’s future in New…
Stansbury outlines funding secured for early childhood and youth services programs

Stansbury outlines funding secured for early childhood and youth services programs

U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury secured $8.3 million for childhood development and youth services in the 1st congressional district through federal community project funding. Stansbury,…
Amid new graduation requirements, what do high schoolers want to learn?

Amid new graduation requirements, what do high schoolers want to learn?

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican The main things that bring Brayan Chavez to school every day: Seeing, talking to and engaging with…
As rhetoric around undocumented workers heats up, new report shows their tax contribution

As rhetoric around undocumented workers heats up, new report shows their tax contribution

A nonprofit group released data showing how much taxes migrants pay in the U.S. as rhetoric on immigration grows more prominent just months from…
Some mental health issues on the rise in New Mexico

Some mental health issues on the rise in New Mexico

A recent report by KFF, a foundation that provides health policy analysis, found mental health issues on the rise and disparities in mental health…
Heinrich questions FDA leadership on baby formula safety, mifepristone

Heinrich questions FDA leadership on baby formula safety, mifepristone

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf answered questions about the safety of human milk formula and mifepristone on Wednesday. Sen. Martin…
Groups protest Republicans in Las Cruces

Groups protest Republicans in Las Cruces

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson’s campaign stop for former U.S. Rep. Yvette Herrell included protesters. Johnson stopped by for the launch of a…
Self-managed abortions have increased since Dobbs, study finds

Self-managed abortions have increased since Dobbs, study finds

Researchers found that self-managed abortion has increased since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago. In the medical journal, Obstetrics…
Guv advertises state’s safe haven abortion status to lure providers from Texas

Guv advertises state’s safe haven abortion status to lure providers from Texas

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is advertising the state’s safe haven status for legal and safe reproductive healthcare to try to lure medical providers from…
Self-managed abortions have increased since Dobbs, study finds

Self-managed abortions have increased since Dobbs, study finds

Researchers found that self-managed abortion has increased since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago. In the medical journal, Obstetrics…
Guv advertises state’s safe haven abortion status to lure providers from Texas

Guv advertises state’s safe haven abortion status to lure providers from Texas

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is advertising the state’s safe haven status for legal and safe reproductive healthcare to try to lure medical providers from…
New tool launches to offset donor fatigue for reproductive rights aid

New tool launches to offset donor fatigue for reproductive rights aid

A new practical support tool for patients traveling to New Mexico and Colorado for an abortion launched as a pilot project connected to Planned…
Politics Newsletter: Election events from Chicago to Las Cruces

Politics Newsletter: Election events from Chicago to Las Cruces

Hello fellow political junkies! We are hip deep in election events, rhetoric and childish attack ads, after all, the election itself is 71 days…
Poll: Harris, Heinrich lead in NM by double-digits

Poll: Harris, Heinrich lead in NM by double-digits

A new poll finds New Mexico voters give Democrats Kamala Harris and Martin Heinrich double-digit leads in the upcoming general election. The poll also…
New Mexico elected officials named in election certification report

New Mexico elected officials named in election certification report

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, known as CREW, released a report last week that named three New Mexican elected officials in reference…
Most New Mexico college students struggle with unstable housing and limited food

Most New Mexico college students struggle with unstable housing and limited food

By Bella Davis, New Mexico In Depth Nicole Pelt is on track to be the first person in her family to graduate college.  The…
Leveraging federal Medicaid dollars could grow home visiting program

Leveraging federal Medicaid dollars could grow home visiting program

If New Mexico uses federal Medicaid dollars to help pay for home visiting, the state could expand the program to reach more children. Elizabeth…
Politics Newsletter: Election events from Chicago to Las Cruces

Politics Newsletter: Election events from Chicago to Las Cruces

Hello fellow political junkies! We are hip deep in election events, rhetoric and childish attack ads, after all, the election itself is 71 days…

GET INVOLVED

© 2023 New Mexico Political Report