A large group of Democratic senators on Monday introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would guarantee children of military personnel the right to gender-affirming care.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) led 20 other Democratic senators. Introduction of amendments This would go against language in the House-passed version of the NDAA that prohibits transgender children of military personnel from receiving gender-affirming care.
“Let's be clear: We're talking about parents who served their country in uniform and earned the right to make the best decisions for their families,” Baldwin said. said in a statement. Make health care decisions that are best for children, not politicians. ”
Restricting medical care for transgender children in the military would limit care for up to 7,000 youth, Baldwin said.
The House passed its own version of the NDAA last week, with 140 Democrats opposed. Some Democratic lawmakers had opposed transgender restrictions before the vote.
If the amendments don't pass, it's unclear how much backlash Democrats will face in the Senate over the NDAA, which has been in session for months to bring the House and Senate to a consensus.
The annual defense bill is a bill that must be passed each year and provides critical funding to the Department of Defense. This year's NDAA includes $884 billion for the Department of Defense.
