Larson and Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect Veterans from Trump Attacks on Reproductive Care

East Hartford, CT – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) joined his Democratic colleagues to introduce the Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act, which would guarantee the right to abortion care at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This week, the Trump Administration announced an abortion ban for veterans seeking care through the VA, even in cases of rape or incest. 

“Just days after the Trump Administration imposed a near-total abortion ban for our veterans, we’re taking action to stand up for the fundamental rights of more than two million women who served our country with honor,” said Larson. “Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, 19 states have enacted abortion bans, leaving the VA as the only option for far too many women to access care. Our servicemembers answered the call to serve our nation and defend the freedoms we hold dear. It is unconscionable for this president to strip away their bodily autonomy in return – even denying them the care they need in cases of rape and incest. Democrats trust women, not politicians, to make their own health care decisions. We will never stop fighting to support not only our women veterans but all women across the country – and their reproductive rights.” 

The Trump Administration recently announced they would roll back protections for abortion care at the VA. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, nineteen states have enacted abortion bans that remain in effect, criminalizing reproductive health care services for millions of women. In 1990, when Larson served as State Senate President pro tempore, Connecticut became the first state to enshrine the right to safe and legal abortion into law since Roe was decided in 1973.