Washington -- Today, the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, assailed House Speaker Paul Ryan for clearing a path for a dangerous anti-transgender amendment -- and then making false claims about the process to dodge culpability. Ryan made two false claims, both of which were reported by the Washington Blade:

 

False Claim #1: “I think it’s important that we work closely with the DOD on this. As you probably know, Secretary Mattis is under a review on this right now, and so that I want to make sure that what we do is in close coordination with them.” -Paul Ryan

 

False Claim #2: “It’s a free process,” Ryan said. “It’s open process. She can bring an amendment to the floor if she wants to.”

 

“Speaker Ryan’s claims that this process was somehow open are completely false,” said David Stacy, HRC Government Affairs Director. “There were several pro-LGBTQ amendments submitted by members of Congress and not a single one made it through Ryan’s so-called ‘open process.’ Speaker Ryan and GOP leadership intentionally cleared the path for Rep. Hartzler’s dangerous anti-transgender amendment to be made in order and fully share responsibility for this attack on transgender service members and their families. Despite his purported desire to work with the Pentagon, the Pentagon has not asked for this amendment and Secretary Mattis opposes it. We strongly urge the House to vote against this abhorrent amendment to strip transition-related health care from active duty troops and their families.”