The Republican-controlled House on Wednesday passed an annual defense spending bill that includes a major culture war warning: a ban on transgender medical procedures for minor children of U.S. military personnel.
A provision in the 1,800-page bill states that “medical interventions for the treatment of gender dysphoria that may lead to sterilization may not be provided to children under the age of 18.” transgender children Soldier.
Republicans argued that taxpayer funds should not be spent on experimental and potentially harmful procedures for minors.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) praised the passage of the defense bill, which now heads to the Senate for approval in the Democratic-controlled chamber.
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The House of Representatives has passed a nearly $1 trillion defense budget that includes a provision banning transgender treatment for dependent children of U.S. military personnel. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
“Our men and women in uniform must know that their first duty is to protect our country, not any woke ideology,” Johnson said in a statement after the bill was passed.
Although this provision is a victory for Republicans and could further President-elect Donald Trump's policy agenda, the bill does not include several other provisions that Republicans support related to social issues. There wasn't. Efforts to ban Tricare, the military health program, from covering transgender treatment for adults, as well as the Pentagon's hotly debated move to reimburse travel expenses for military personnel stationed in states with restricted access to abortions. Proposals to reverse the policy were particularly absent.
Democrats were largely outraged by the provision stripping TRICARE from transgender children of military personnel, and Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said the move was in favor of other parts of the bill. , vowed to vote against the bill on Tuesday. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York did not advise members to vote yes or no.
124 Democrats oppose historically bipartisan defense bill over restrictions on transgender treatment for minors
Soldiers wearing camouflage uniforms aim rifles during night operations. (St. Petersburg)
The move also drew the ire of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), which said it was an “attack” on military families.
“This cruel and hateful bill suddenly strips our members of the military of the access to family health care they rely on and gives them the choice between remaining in the military and providing health care for their children. “We may be forced to do so,” HRC Chairman Kelly said. Robinson said in a statement.
The Senate's response to the transgender treatment provision will be critical in determining the final content of next year's defense policy. If passed, it would be consistent with President Trump's criticism of the military's “woke” policy.
The Supreme Court also heard oral arguments in the first case last week: Tennessee Prohibition Order Further restrictions may be placed on transgender medical procedures for minors.
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President-elect Donald Trump (left) and House Speaker Mike Johnson. (Getty Images)
The $884 billion National Defense Authorization Act, which sets Pentagon policy, passed 281-140, with 124 Democrats and 16 Republicans voting against it.
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Other provisions also place limits on diversity, equity, and inclusion-based hiring and the teaching of critical race theory in military-run schools. Other policies include a 14.5% pay increase for enlisted soldiers, expanded childcare services and increased job support for military spouses, reflecting a year of bipartisan focus on tackling record draft combat. etc. are included.
Fox News Digital's Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.
