The Republican members of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, led by U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe, are asking Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to provide more information about a Department of Defense official’s assertion that the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision would affect military readiness. The Dobbs decision effectively overturned Roe v. Wade and sent abortion regulations to the states.
Inhofe and the other Republicans point to a memorandum from Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. which claims the ruling “will have significant implications for…the readiness of the Force.” However, there was no evidence provided to support the assertion.
The Senators want Austin to explain what that impact will be and to provide any data supporting it.
Inhofe is the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
You can read the Senator’s letter to Austin below.
July 13, 2022
The Honorable Lloyd J. Austin III
U.S. Department of Defense
1300 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1300
Dear Secretary Austin,
We have concerns about assertions made in a memorandum from Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. dated June 28, 2022, and entitled, “Ensuring Access to Essential Women’s Health Care Services for Service Members, Dependents, Beneficiaries, and Department of Defense Civilian Employees.”
This memo asserts that the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization “will have significant implications for our Service members, dependents, other beneficiaries of DoD health care services, and civilian employees, as well as the readiness of the Force.” There is no evidence presented in this memo to support the conclusion that the Dobbs decision will have “significant implications” for the “readiness of the Force.” Please provide written responses to the following questions:
- What are the “significant implications” that the Dobbs decision will have for the “readiness of the Force”? Please be specific.
- What data was used to support the conclusion that the Dobbs decision would have “significant implications” for the “readiness of the Force”? Please provide a copy of all data used to support this conclusion in your response.
In addition, the June 28 memo states that current policies and procedures are under review in light of the Dobbs ruling, and that “additional guidance” will be issued “as appropriate.”
- What policies and procedures are currently under review by the Department of Defense following the Dobbs decision? Please be specific.
- Do you commit to consulting with the House and Senate Armed Services Committees before issuing any “additional guidance” referenced in the June 28 memo?
We request that you provide the information requested above by July 20, 2022. Thank you in advance for your responsiveness.
Sincerely,
