Congressman Crow Introduces Bill to Protect Access to Abortion, IVF for Servicemembers

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06), a veteran and member of the House Armed services Committee, introduced the Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act to ensure servicemembers and military families continue to have access to abortion and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments regardless where they are stationed, including states with extreme abortion bans. 

Currently, nearly 50% of service members are stationed in a state with extremely limited or no access to abortion. Congressman Crow’s bill would require the Department of Defense (DoD) to allow service members to take leave and reimburse travel costs to receive reproductive health care treatment. His bill also comes after Secretary Pete Hegseth restricted servicemembers from traveling for abortion care and IVF treatments.

“Restricting access to health care, including fertility treatments and abortion care is wrong and undermines our military’s recruitment, readiness, and retention,” said Congressman Crow. “I’ve introduced this important bill to protect access to abortion and IVF treatments for women in the military.” 

Congresswomen Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) joined Congressman Crow in introducing this legislation.

“We ask our servicewomen to put their lives on the line to protect our country from threats across the globe — they should never have to risk their lives or their health to access abortion care here in the United States. That’s why I am reintroducing my legislation to ensure that our servicewomen have the freedom to choose if and when to start a family, and can travel to  receive reproductive care — whether that’s abortion or IVF. Right now, it’s more important than ever that we take swift action to support those who sign up to serve. Secretary Hegseth has been clear about his belief that women should not be serving in combat — and he took quick action to overturn access to reproductive care for servicewomen shortly after being confirmed. Now, he’s working to undercut our military’s strength by firing our nation’s top military officials — including the first woman to lead the U.S. Navy. This issue is deeply personal to me, having served in the Navy. I will always fight to ensure that our servicewomen and military family members have access to basic reproductive care,” said Rep. Sherrill.

"My home state of Texas has been ground zero for the Republicans' assault on reproductive freedom," said Rep. Escobar. "Texas is also home to over a dozen military bases, including Fort Bliss, which I have the honor of representing in Congress. Amidst a challenging recruiting environment, I believe it is more important than ever to ensure Congress protects the rights of our military women and families to access the reproductive care they need, regardless of where they serve. I am proud to co-lead the Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act, which does just that. Members of our military are trusted to protect our freedoms; it is only right we protect theirs.”  

“As two of the very small number of women in Congress who have served in uniform, Rep. Sherrill and I are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder alongside fellow veteran Rep. Crow and our colleague Rep. Escobar to fight against extreme anti-abortion efforts. It's outrageous that some of my colleagues believe they can make better decisions about a service member's reproductive care than the service members themselves," said Rep. Houlahan. "It is our responsibility to protect the health and safety of those serving our nation, and reimbursing expenses incurred while seeking vital reproductive services is part of that responsibility. We must codify this policy to show our all-volunteer force and their families that we respect their service and will do whatever we can to make health care safe and accessible." 

The legislation is supported by the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproductive Rights, The Guttmacher Institute, Ibis Reproductive Health, Modern Military Association of America, National Council of Jewish Women, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women’s Law Center, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Power to Decide, and Reproductive Freedom for All.

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