Broglio heads the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, while Burbidge heads the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia.
On Wednesday the Senate voted 51-48 against a Congressional Review Act resolution to overturn the interim final rule put out in September by the Department of Veterans Affairs that added abortion. Previously, the VA banned abortion and abortion counseling in its programs.
The bishops’ conference on Sept. 21, 2022, submitted comment on the VA regulation change. The comment noted that the VA policy to provide abortion when a pregnant woman’s “life or health” is endangered in effect allows abortion through all nine months of pregnancy.
The bishops also noted that Congress has not authorized elective abortion in VA programs.
“But even if it had, such a practice would be poor public policy because it involves the intentional killing of unborn children and harm to women who undergo the abortion procedure,” the 2022 statement said.
On Thursday, the bishops also spoke about the importance of improved health care for veterans.