The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has urged Congress to reject a controversial provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would bar healthcare coverage for transgender children of servicemembers.
HRC President Kelley Robinson denounced the provision on Saturday, describing it as a “slap in the face” to military families.
“Anti-equality House Republican leaders are hijacking a defense bill to play politics with the healthcare of children of servicemembers,” Robinson stated.
Her remarks reflect growing concern among advocacy groups over the provision’s discriminatory implications.
The Controversial Provision
The NDAA, a must-pass annual defense policy bill, includes a provision under Section 708 of Title VII that prohibits TRICARE, the military healthcare program, from covering gender dysphoria treatments for minors.
The provision specifically targets medical procedures that could result in sterilization for children under 18.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson defended the measure, stating the bill “addresses radical woke ideology” while focusing on military readiness and support for servicemembers.
Backlash and Political Implications
Advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have called the provision “dangerous and discriminatory.”
The ACLU previously criticized a Senate Armed Services Committee version of the bill that restricted gender-affirming surgeries for transgender servicemembers.
The issue has sparked division in Congress. Democratic Representative Adam Smith, the ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, described the provision as a “partisan wedge issue.” Smith remains undecided about supporting the bill, raising the possibility of a legislative stalemate.
President Joe Biden has also taken a firm stance, pledging to veto any legislation that promotes discrimination against transgender individuals. This sets the stage for a potential confrontation over the bill’s final passage.
Broader Implications
The debate over the NDAA provision highlights the ongoing struggle over transgender rights in the U.S., particularly within the context of healthcare access and military policy.
Advocates warn that such measures undermine the rights of servicemembers and their families while fostering division.
HRC and other advocacy organizations have called on lawmakers to prioritize the well-being of all military families, emphasizing that policies rooted in discrimination have no place in federal legislation.
