Sen. Tammy Baldwin and 20 other Senate Democrats introduced an amendment to remove anti-transgender language from the National Defense Authorization Act.
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The House version of the bill, passed last week, would ban transgender people under 18 from receiving gender-affirming care under Tricare, an insurance plan for military personnel. It will mainly affect these military children. The Senate voted 83-12 Monday to advance that version of the bill, with a final vote likely on Wednesday.
of correction Baldwin, who was introduced on Monday, is a lesbian from Wisconsin. talked about the problem on the Senate floor Tuesday.
Opposing the current version of the NDAA is “not a position I take lightly,” Baldwin said. “I have supported the final passage of each NDAA that has been introduced in the Senate.”
He said the promise of bipartisan support for the bill was broken “because some Republicans decided it was more valuable to water down the rights of service members to score cheap political points.” “Let’s be clear: We’re talking about parents who serve their country in uniform, who should consult with their doctors and make sure they know what they want and need for their transgender children.” They have a right to health care. That’s it. They want the right to the best health care for their child, and I think that’s what every parent wants.”
“The medical care we’re talking about here can sometimes save lives,” she continued. “Some people estimate this will affect 6,000 to 7,000 military families. I believe that service members and their families should be able to make their own health care decisions without interference from politicians. It is completely wrong to include this provision in this bill and take away the freedom of service members to make their own decisions. I would be happy to support the bill.
There is a simple solution to this problem, she said. The proposed amendment would remove that language from the bill. The amendment was co-sponsored by Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Maisie Hirono and Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. Tina Smith, New Jersey’s Cory Booker and Andy Kim, and Jeff Merkley and Ron. Wyden of Oregon, Alex Padilla of California, John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and John John of Pennsylvania. Fetterman, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, and Patti Murray of Washington.
The House-passed bill would authorize $884 billion in military spending for fiscal year 2025. The bill passed Wednesday by a vote of 281-140, with 124 Democrats and 16 Republicans voting against it. Rep. Chris Pappas, a gay Democrat from New Hampshire, was the only LGBTQ+ member of Congress to vote yes. He did so despite opposing anti-trans provisions.
Marquee on Tuesday too LGBTQ+ Advocacy groups held press conferences to express opposition to anti-trans language. “Transgender rights are human rights. Healthcare is a human right,” Markey said. Today we must protect both. …To all Trans Americans, all military members, their families, friends, and communities: I will not turn my back on you. I’m with you too. And we will continue to fight together. ”
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“If passed in its current form, this bill would be the first anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed since the 1990s,” said Lindsey Church, executive director of the Minority Veterans Association. If we don’t put all our heart and soul into it, how do we look at our children and tell them that they are going to suffer in the name of political gamesmanship?”
Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center, added: “The legislators who pushed the measures in this bill… are the same legislators who don’t trust women to make their own health care decisions… and now they’re telling military families the decisions they want to make for their families. You’re trying to tell them that they aren’t trusted.”
“Service members and their families make incredible sacrifices for our country,” said Brandon Wolf, national spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign. “I entrust them with peace of mind and freedom.” In return, they owe us respect and are given the freedom to make their own health care decisions. ”
“Family time is precious to everyone,” said Kathy Marcello, vice president of the Modern Military Association. “Tomorrow, Congress will decide whether thousands of military families will have to spend their time off on vacation, be separated, or be forced to leave if they can afford to pay for necessary medical care out of pocket.” , can also be provided to the military. ”
National LGBTQ+ advocate and legislative researcher Alison Chapman concluded with a message for transgender youth. you are loved you are beautiful You are important to me and to many others. One thing I’ve learned is that no matter how dark the world is, our joy always shines through. ”
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
