18 House Republicans joined forces with Democrats to defeat an amendment that aimed to defund Pentagon ‘Pride Month’ celebrations.
House Republicans Join Democrats in Killing Amendment to Defund Pentagon-Sponsored “Pride Month” Events
Nearly 20 House Republicans joined their Democrat colleagues on Wednesday in killing a bill amendment that sought to prevent U.S. taxpayer dollars from funding Pentagon-sponsored “pride month” events.
Introduced by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, the measure aimed to “prohibit funds appropriated” by the House’s defense bill for fiscal year 2024 “from being used to carry out the observance of Pride Month authorized by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness for the Cultural Observances and Awareness Events List.” Despite the GOP possessing a majority in the lower chamber, 18 Republicans, including House Freedom Caucus member Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., sided with Democrats in voting against the amendment (231-202).
While the Pentagon’s commemoration of “pride month” dates back to the Obama administration, the agency tasked with defending the U.S. homeland has made so-called “LGBT issues” a primary focus under President Joe Biden, along with facilitating abortions for female service members. Shortly after taking office, for instance, Biden signed a series of executive orders mandating federal departments adopt neo-Marxist policies such as DEI throughout their respective workforces.
For context, “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” or DEI, is a divisive and poisonous ideology that dismisses merit and instead discriminates based on characteristics such as skin color and sexual orientation. Individuals who qualify for a certain position due to their merits but don’t meet the discriminating entity’s goal of being more “diverse” are passed over in favor of those who meet institutionally preferred identitarian standards.
In 2023 alone, the military under Biden’s command has been caught employing an enlisted drag queen to recruit new sailors into the Navy, using U.S. taxpayer money to fly Air Force members to military “pride” events, and scheduling drag shows at military bases. Ahead of this year’s “pride month,” branches such as the Air Force authorized their bases to host celebrations commemorating this leftist-manufactured “holiday.” As The Federalist previously reported, several of these installations continued their plans to host the controversial events even after congressional backlash.
[[RELATED: Here’s How America’s ‘Rainbow’ Military Commemorated This 4th Of July Weekend]“I’m sure the Chinese military is quaking in its boots with the rainbow-tipped bullets being tweeted around the world,” Roy quipped in a House floor speech. “I have very few constituents who disagree with this sentiment: that we should be focused on having a military that is designed to, when called upon, to blow stuff up and kill people in defense of this country as needed, and to be the best fighting force to accomplish that objective in the world.”
In addition to pushing DEI on the military’s rank-and-file members, Biden has promoted numerous officials parroting these same ideologies to some of the highest positions within the service. Among these officials is Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Biden’s recently confirmed Joint Chiefs of Staff chair, who has previously espoused support for DEI and other racialist sentiments.
While participating in a virtual discussion hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs in November 2020, for example, Brown indicated that “[a]t the higher level of the Air Force, diversity ha[d] moved to the forefront of personnel decisions such as promotions and hiring.” During the same event, the Air Force general also admitted to using his post to increase opportunities for so-called “diverse candidates” in the Air Force, saying he “hire[d] for diversity” when building his staff.
To read about other DEI-pushing Biden military nominees, see here, here, here, and here.
Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a state content writer for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood
What is the justification for prioritizing diversity and inclusion over merit in the military’s agenda, as seen through the creation of a diversity and inclusion office within the Department of Defense?
Justify his agenda. For example, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has prioritized diversity and inclusion within the military, pushing for policies that prioritize identity over merit. This includes the creation of a diversity and inclusion office within the Department of Defense.
The decision by House Republicans to join Democrats in killing Rep. Chip Roy’s amendment to defund Pentagon-sponsored “pride month” events is disappointing and concerning. It shows a lack of commitment to prioritizing national defense and a willingness to bow to the demands of identity politics.
It is important to note that this issue is not about LGBTQ+ rights or equality. It is about the inappropriate use of taxpayer funds to promote a specific political agenda within the military. The Pentagon’s focus on “LGBTQ+ issues” and the celebration of “pride month” is a questionable use of resources that should be allocated to strengthening our national security.
Furthermore, the promotion of DEI ideologies within the military is concerning for several reasons. Firstly, it undermines the principle of meritocracy and diminishes the importance of qualifications and capabilities in favor of arbitrary characteristics. This not only weakens the military’s effectiveness but also undermines morale and creates divisions among service members.
Secondly, DEI policies perpetuate a culture of victimhood and identity politics within the military. Rather than promoting unity and cohesion, these policies encourage division and the prioritization of individual identities over the collective mission of defending the nation.
Lastly, the push for DEI policies within the military is driven by a radical ideological agenda that seeks to transform institutions and reshape societal norms. By imposing neo-Marxist ideologies onto the military, the Biden administration is advancing a divisive and destructive agenda that undermines the very fabric of our armed forces.
It is crucial that lawmakers prioritize the national security interests of the United States over political posturing and identity politics. The military’s purpose is to protect our country from threats and ensure the safety and security of its citizens. It is not a platform for social experimentation or the promotion of divisive political ideologies.
The decision by House Republicans to join Democrats in killing the amendment to defund Pentagon-sponsored “pride month” events is a missed opportunity to stand up for fiscal responsibility, national defense, and the principles that should guide our armed forces.
As taxpayers, we have the right to expect that our hard-earned money is used wisely and responsibly. Funding events that promote a specific political agenda undermines that expectation and erodes trust in our government.
Moving forward, it is crucial for lawmakers to reevaluate their priorities and refocus on the core mission of the military. Our armed forces should be dedicated to defending our country, not advancing political agendas. It is time to put national security first and ensure that taxpayer funds are used in a manner that strengthens our military and protects our nation.
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