Davids Statement on Vote Against Extreme, Partisan Plan to Restrict Access to Health Care for Military

Today, Representative Sharice Davids voted against an extreme, partisan plan that would restrict access to reproductive health care for service members. Since coming to Congress, Davids has voted to support service members and their families through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) every year, all in a bipartisan fashion. The NDAA has passed Congress for more than 60 years with overwhelming bipartisan support, and this year’s package was approved by the House Armed Services Committee on a bipartisan basis. However, today’s version of the bill championed by House leadership included a laundry list of extremists’ demands.

“Today, I voted against a plan that would put partisan politics and a far-right, anti-abortion agenda above our national security and the well-being of our service members,” said Davids. “It is absolutely outrageous that extremists are being allowed to hold support for our military hostage, and I plan to continue working to find common-sense, bipartisan solutions that help our service members and keep our country safe.”

Davids, whose mother served in the army for 20 years, will continue pushing for common-sense, bipartisan policies that benefit service members, their families, and communities across the country. As conversations around the NDAA package continue, Davids’ priorities include:

• Improved access to health care, including reproductive health care, mental and behavioral health needs, and military suicide prevention;
• Increased pay and benefits for service members, which would help assist with critical recruitment and retention incentives;
• Greater efforts to combat the ongoing challenges posed by China, Russia, and violent extremist organizations that present national security threats to America and our allies;
• Additional support for military spouses and families, including the expansion of child care and housing programs.

The NDAA is passed by Congress annually to update defense policies and determine how military funding is spent by the U.S. Department of Defense. After today’s House vote, the Senate will consider their version of the NDAA in the coming weeks. The House and Senate will likely prioritize a combination of the two bills, considered through a bipartisan, bicameral agreement process, to pass in both chambers.

To support Kansas veterans after they leave the service, Davids recently introduced bipartisan legislation to help veteran small business owners and entrepreneurs succeed by studying the barriers faced when starting a business. She also helped pass the Honoring our PACT Act, which expands Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) health care eligibility to 3.5 million American veterans exposed to burn pits and toxic airborne hazards while deployed. Davids' office is committed to helping military and veteran constituents with casework and acts as a facilitator between federal, state, and local agencies.