GOP lawmakers shut down reporter’s question on transgender surgery and battle readiness.

Republican Lawmakers Respond to Question on Transgender Surgeries and Battle Readiness

Four Republican House lawmakers responded forcefully on Friday to a reporter who asked how transgender surgeries for members of the U.S. military would affect battle readiness.

The lawmakers gave a press briefing about the annual Defense Department budget, which includes amendments blocking the military from paying for abortion-related expenses as well as transgender hormone treatments and surgeries.

The House narrowly passed the defense budget on Friday.

Engaging Twitter Reaction

A reporter asks members of the House Freedom Caucus:

“Can you elaborate a little bit on how transgender reassignment surgery might influence battle readiness?”

He was NOT READY for @RepScottPerry, @RepMattGaetz, @RepRalphNorman, and @RepRonnyJackson to spend 3 ENTIRE MINUTES… pic.twitter.com/J71EZvktDi

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) July 14, 2023

During the press briefing, a reporter asked about the potential impact of transgender reassignment surgery on battle readiness. In response, Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), a combat veteran and retired Army brigadier general, emphasized that the military prioritizes the needs of the nation over individual desires.

Rep. Perry stated, “There are many people who want to serve in many capacities who are unable to. If you’re allergic to bee stings, if you have Type 1 diabetes, though you might want to serve, you cannot. If you want to fly an F-16 but can’t correct your vision appropriately, you cannot fly an F-16 or anything else. What the military is about is what the needs of the nation are from a national security standpoint. When they marry up with your desires, that’s an awesome and great circumstance, but when they don’t, the needs of the nation come first.”

He further emphasized the importance of considering how transgender surgeries enhance readiness and lethality. If they do not contribute to these factors, they should not be supported.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) also addressed the issue, highlighting the financial implications of transgender surgeries. He stated that for every dollar spent on these surgeries, the military has to allocate four more dollars for psychological care. Gaetz expressed gratitude for the amendments that prevent funding for such surgeries.

Additionally, Gaetz pointed out that transgender medical treatments were diverting funds from the Exceptional Family Member Program, which is intended for military family members with specific health conditions. He criticized the allocation of these funds for gender-related procedures.

Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) joined the discussion, criticizing the allocation of resources for transgender surgeries while neglecting the needs of military veterans’ children with chronic illnesses. Norman expressed his belief that individuals identifying as transgender should not be on the battlefield in the first place.

Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX), a 25-year Navy physician who served in the White House, highlighted that the military does not cover elective procedures, and gender surgeries and hormone treatments fall into that category. He also mentioned the significant time it takes for medical gender transitions, during which individuals are not deployable, placing an additional burden on their fellow service members.

The defense budget will now proceed to the Democrat-controlled Senate, where they will work on their own version of the budget.

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