House Bans Transgender Procedures in Military, Repeals Abortion Travel Policy

House conservatives are taking a stand against the Biden administration’s “woke” politicization of the military. They are bundling the defense budget with amendments aimed at reversing the implementation of “radical race theories” in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

During a 10-hour session on July 13, the Republican-led House repealed the Department of Defense’s abortion travel policy, banned gender transition procedures in DOD health care programs, and introduced several other amendments targeting DEI programs. These amendments are being added to the must-pass defense budget, which is typically approved with bipartisan support.

Democrats are pushing back, arguing that the defense budget is being held hostage by a small group of House conservatives known as the House Freedom Caucus. They claim that these conservatives are imposing an “extreme right-wing agenda” on the military and the nation.

The proposed $886.3 billion defense budget, known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), was the subject of heated debates on the House floor. It included a total of 370 proposed amendments.

80 Hot-Button Amendments

Both the House and Senate have already passed their versions of the NDAA. The House voted 58-1 in favor, while the Senate voted 24-1.

The defense budget is set to be implemented at the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1. The House is expected to formally adopt the NDAA on July 14.

The Senate version of the NDAA, which will be introduced next week, does not include the amendments targeting “woke” policies.

On the House floor, representatives began reviewing 80 proposed amendments to the NDAA. The House Rules Committee had already packaged many of these amendments for composite votes, as they were not considered contentious.

DOD Abortion Travel Policy ‘Illegal’

One of the adopted amendments sought to repeal a DOD policy that reimburses expenses for service members who travel to obtain an abortion in states where the procedure is restricted. The amendment passed in a near-total partisan vote of 221-213.

Representative Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) argued that the policy was implemented by the Biden administration to expand abortion access and force taxpayers to subsidize abortion services. He claimed that the policy violates U.S. Code Title 10, which restricts DOD funds from being used for abortions.

Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) criticized the amendment, calling it a “dangerous health care travel ban” for women in the military. She pointed out that many service women are based in states where abortion is restricted or banned.

Other Democratic representatives, including Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), argued that the amendment is part of a larger GOP plan to implement a federal abortion ban.

Representative Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), chair of the House Armed Services Committee, defended the amendment, stating that the DOD’s abortion policy is unlawful and goes against moral principles.

Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), an Air Force veteran, dismissed the claim that repealing the policy is an attack on women in the service.

Taking ‘A Meat Clever to DEI’

Other adopted amendments address the DOD’s health care program, prohibiting it from providing sex reassignment surgeries and gender hormone treatments for transgender individuals. They also aim to eliminate DEI offices and programs, defund programs that promote race-based concepts, and remove funding for diversity officers.

Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) introduced a proposal to prohibit federal funds for DEI training, which was one of the few amendments that failed. He argued that these measures are necessary to uproot DEI and rid the DOD of what he called “the cancer of DEI.”

Representative Steven Horsford (D-Nev.)