(VitalNews.org) – The White House is putting pressure on the Senate regarding the issue of decreased military enlistments and lowered morale among service members and laying the blame on laws restricting or banning abortion.
Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville is preventing over 250 appointments into the U.S. military over the abortion policy of the Pentagon that gives paid leave and reimburses costs for those who have to travel to have the procedure.
A spokesman for the National Security Council, John Kirby, reportedly spoke with active duty service members, some of whom were spouses, and was told that strict abortion laws in some states affect their willingness to stay in the military. Kirby also noted that Americans who step up to serve have no say in where they are stationed, even if that means being placed on a base in a state with laws that restrict abortion. This, coupled with the prevalence of sexual assault in the military, may be a prohibitive factor to many current or future service members, especially women.
Kirby said that anyone who doesn’t think there will “be a retention and morale issue” needs to “think again.” He said these policies are “already having that effect.” Last week, Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., who President Joe Biden nominated for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate that Tuberville’s blockade will result in a loss of talent in the military.
But are abortion policies really why the military is having trouble recruiting, or are there other factors? Some Republicans believe implementing vaccine mandates is one of the reasons for fewer recruits, as well as pushing “woke” ideology through diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) training.
An Air Force Chief Master Sergeant named JoAnne S. Bass wrote a memorandum to service members last month about falling standards in all military branches. She said that based on her “travels and conversations with Airmen of all ranks,” there is “a common concern” about standards. She noted that history indicates “when standards erode,” the readiness and capability of the military declines, leaving America vulnerable to its enemies.
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