WASHINGTON — Today, the House of Representatives, on a vote of 280-140, passed a version of the National Defense Authorization Act that includes a provision blocking healthcare for the transgender children of military servicemembers. If enacted, the bill would see medically necessary care for the children of thousands of military families, who make incredible sacrifices in defense of the country, stripped away.

During floor debate this week, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., underscored the potential impact of the bill with a message from a military spouse whose family would suffer under a healthcare ban: 

“My spouse has proudly served in the Air Force for 22 years, dedicating their life to protecting our country. Over the years, our family has moved across the nation and the world, embracing the challenges and opportunities that military life brings. … Recent legislative efforts to restrict or eliminate access to gender affirming care threaten not only the well-being of my trans child, but also the very values of dignity and respect that our military stands for. This care has been transformative for our child, giving them confidence, joy, and a sense of self that we had only glimpsed before. To have this vital care stripped away feels cruel and unjust. For lawmakers to target military families, families who already sacrifice so much for our nation, only compounds the pain. My spouse has given 22 years to the service of this country, and now it feels as though the country is turning its back on us.”

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson issued the following statement:

“Military servicemembers and their families wake up every day and sacrifice more than most of us will ever understand. Those families protect our right to live freely and with dignity – they deserve that same right, and the freedom to access the care their children need. Today, politicians in the House betrayed our nation’s promise to those who serve. Not since the ‘Defense of Marriage Act’ passed almost 30 years ago has an anti-LGBTQ+ policy been enshrined into federal law. For the thousands of families impacted, this isn’t about politics. It’s about young people who deserve our support. Those who have courageously stepped up to serve this country should never have their families used as bargaining chips. Now, the Senate has the opportunity to reject this and any bill that includes these dangerous anti-trans, anti-military family provisions, and remember the fundamental promise of our democracy: that everyone deserves dignity, respect, and the right to healthcare.”

Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, took the extraordinary step of voting against the legislation that he had helped to craft in response to the addition of the anti-transgender provision. In his statement announcing his opposition to the bill, Smith said: “Blanketly denying health care to people who need it—just because of a biased notion against transgender people—is wrong.”

The National Defense Authorization Act is a traditionally bipartisan effort that focuses on ensuring military readiness and supporting members of the nation’s armed forces. However, this year’s House version has been deliberately and intentionally politicized, dishonoring the sacrifice of servicemembers and disrespecting their families. President Biden has promised repeatedly to veto any legislation that would enshrine discrimination against transgender people into law.

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.

###