Press Releases

Today, Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, released the following opening remarks, as prepared, at the start of the Committee hearing to discuss the Biden Administration’s illegal decision to begin offering abortion to certain veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I appreciate the opportunity today to discuss the care that V.A. provides to women veterans.

And, you know Mr. Chairman, strengthening services to women veterans is a priority of mine.

Those who honorably serve our country in uniform deserve the best health care and support that we can provide, regardless of gender.

That includes support as they start families of their own.

That does not include abortion.

I am proudly pro-life.

I believe –as a matter of faith – that abortion is wrong.

I also believe –as a matter of law – that V.A. does not have the authority to offer abortion.

Congress made that clear in 1992 by prohibiting V.A. from providing abortion.

30 years later, that prohibition remains in place.

It has not changed.

It has not been repealed.

It has not been replaced by subsequent Congressional action.

That’s why I am so outraged by the announcement that V.A. would begin providing abortion to certain veterans and CHAMP-V.A. beneficiaries, and abortion counseling to anyone in those groups.

That is not only wrong - it’s illegal.

This President and his cronies are willfully ignoring the Constitution by acting like laws are mere suggestions.

The Biden Administration has made a downright habit of it.

It is shameful.

It is undemocratic.

And, it mocks the duty Members of Congress have to represent the will of the American people in Washington.

With actions like this, the President is doing exactly what he falsely accused duly elected Republican Representatives of doing just last week.

Following the law isn’t optional, it’s a requirement.

By ignoring the law, V.A. is violating the wishes and values of millions of Americans who don’t want their tax dollars used to pay for abortion, at V.A., or anywhere else.

I am one of those Americans – and the law is clearly on our side here.

I will never stop fighting to ensure that the sanctity of life is protected, at V.A. and everywhere else.

I am working with my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee and in the Senate to consider sanctions against V.A. for violating the Anti-Deficiency Act.

Abortion is not health care – no matter what those on the other side of this issue may feel.

The right to life is a sacred, American value enshrined in the Declaration of Independence.

It’s one of the rights servicemembers and veterans throughout history fought and died to defend.

And I am committed to defending it now for them and their unborn children.

With that, I yield back.