Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) released the following statement after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025. For the second year in a row, House Republicans filled this annual, historically bipartisan bill with extreme far-right poison pills, including an amendment that would end a Department of Defense (DoD) policy that allows service members and their dependents to be reimbursed for travel expenses and take administrative leave if they have to travel to receive reproductive care if they are stationed in a state where abortion has been banned or restricted.

“The NDAA is a historically bipartisan bill dedicated to strengthening our national security and protecting our service members. However, extreme House Republicans have made it their latest tool to further their deadly mission of banning abortion,” said Rep. Frankel. “Service women stand up for our freedom, now we must stand for theirs. It’s time for Republicans to value the health and futures of our service members rather than relentlessly attacking their personal freedoms.”

There are over 150 military bases located in states with abortion bans or restrictions. In 2022 it was estimated that over 40% of women service members, about 80,000 service women, are impacted, with that number growing as more states limit abortion access. The bill also contains provisions that attack the LGBTQ+ community, worsen the climate crisis, and eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

The bill passed by a vote of 217-199. The Senate will proceed with its own NDAA process, and it is expected that the final product will come from conference between the House and Senate later this year.

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