Rounds and Republican Armed Services Members Ask Pentagon to Justify Claim That Dobbs v. Jackson Would Significantly Impact Military Readiness

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and the Republican members of the Senate Armed Services Committee sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin requesting justification for a recent assertion from a top Department of Defense (DOD) official that the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization would significantly impact the “readiness of the Force.”

In a memorandum to the Force dated June 28, 2022, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr., claimed the Supreme Court’s ruling that there is no constitutional right to abortion “will have significant implications for…the readiness of the Force,” but provided no evidence to support this conclusion.

In their letter, the senators request that Secretary Austin describe the “significant implications” on readiness referenced in the memorandum and cite the data used to support Secretary Cisneros’ conclusion.

The senators also seek additional information about the Pentagon’s ongoing review of current policies and procedures related to abortion described in the June 28 memorandum.

The letter was signed by Senators Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.).

Read the full text of the letter HERE or below.

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July 13, 2022 

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,

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