[Lauren Taylor]
HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON SAYS CONGRESS WILL NOT ALLOW U.S. TAX DOLLARS TO BE SPENT ON PUBERTY BLOCKERS OR SEX CHANGE SURGERIES FOR TRANSGENDER KIDS OF MILITARY MEMBERS, THE DAILY WIRE REPORTS.
SECTION 708 OF THE HOUSE’S NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL STATES ‘‘MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF GENDER DYSPHORIA THAT COULD RESULT IN STERILIZATION MAY NOT BE PROVIDED TO A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 18.’’
MILITARY MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES USUALLY RECEIVE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE THROUGH TRICARE THE HEALTHCARE PROGRAM FOR THE MILITARY.
THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION COMPLETED AN ANALYSIS IN 2022 OF TRANSGENDER YOUTH IN MILITARY FAMILIES AND FOUND “AT LEAST 2500 CHILDREN ACTIVELY SOUGHT CARE FOR GENDER DYSPHORIA THROUGH TRICARE PRIME INSURANCE AT MILITARY OR CIVILIAN TREATMENT FACILITIES” IN 2017 AND 900 RECEIVED HORMONES.
SPEAKER JOHNSON TOLD THE DAILY WIRE “TAXPAYER DOLLARS SHOULD NEVER BE USED TO SUPPORT PROCEDURES AND TREATMENTS THAT COULD PERMANENTLY HARM AND STERILIZE YOUNG PEOPLE. IN THIS YEAR’S NDAA, WE’RE TAKING A CRITICAL AND NECESSARY STEP TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN OF AMERICAN SERVICE MEMBERS FROM RADICAL GENDER IDEOLOGY AND EXPERIMENTAL DRUGS.”
THE ACLU SAYS IT OPPOSES THE PROPOSED BAN ON GENDER-AFFIRMING MEDICAL CARE.
MIKE ZAMORE, NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS TOLD THE ACLU, “NOBODY SHOULD HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN SERVING THE COUNTRY AND ENSURING THEIR CHILD HAS THE HEALTH CARE THEY NEED TO LIVE AND THRIVE. MEMBERS OF CONGRESS MUST VOTE AGAINST THE DEFENSE BILL BECAUSE OF THE INCLUSION OF THIS DEEPLY HARMFUL, UNCONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION.”
IT’S UNCLEAR IF DEMOCRATS WILL SUPPORT THE $895 BILLION DOLLAR BILL – WHICH ALSO INCLUDES A 14.5% PAY RAISE FOR JUNIOR TROOPS.