WASHINGTON — Today, an updated FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was filed in the U.S. House of Representatives with a provision that would prohibit coverage of best-practice, medically necessary healthcare for transgender youth who are the children of servicemembers.

“Instead of focusing on the needs of the American people and our national security, anti-equality House Republican leaders are hijacking a defense bill to play politics with the healthcare of children of servicemembers. This is not leadership, it’s bullying, and it is a direct attack on military families,” said HRC President Kelley Robinson. “This discriminatory provision is a slap in the face to servicemembers and their families, who sacrifice every day for our country. We ask our servicemembers to defend our country, and in return, we should defend their rights. This cruel and hateful bill suddenly strips away access to medical care for families that members of our armed forces are counting on, and it could force servicemembers to choose between staying in the military or providing healthcare for their children. Politicians have no place inserting themselves into decisions that should be between families and their doctors. We call on members of Congress to do what's right and vote against this damaging legislation.”

President Biden has promised repeatedly to veto any legislation that would enshrine discrimination against transgender people into law.

Last year, anti-equality House Republicans tried to insert more than 50 anti-LGBTQ+ provisions into annual appropriations legislation. Thanks to the work of HRC, advocates and pro-equality lawmakers, all but one of these provisions were ultimately removed from those bills.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.