Abortion

A longstanding federal ban prevents military doctors from performing abortions in most cases, leaving troops to seek the procedure at private clinics.

Since February, Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville has held up military nominations and promotions to pressure the Biden administration to reverse a policy that provides troops with leave time and travel funds to obtain abortions.

The Pentagon policy reimburses service members for travel expenses and offers up to 21 days of leave for abortions and fertility treatment.

As states across the country restrict abortion, President Biden and some other Democrats want to ease federal restrictions on the procedure.

More than 100 military installations are in states where abortion is now banned.