WASHINGTON — Today, the updated National Defense Authorization Act of 2025 (NDAA) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, including a provision that would prohibit medically necessary best-in-class health coverage from transgender youth who are children of military personnel. .
“Instead of focusing on the needs of the American people and national security, the anti-equality House Republican leaders are hijacking the defense bill to play politics around health care for military children. It's not leadership, it's bullying, and it's a direct attack on military families,” said HRC President Kelly Robinson. “This discriminatory provision is a slap in the face to the military and their families who sacrifice every day for our country. We demand that our service members protect our country, and in return we should protect their rights. Cruel and hateful bill would destroy access to family health care that military members depend on A military member could be forced to choose between remaining in the military and providing medical care to his or her children.Politicians have no place in intervening in decisions that should be made between families and doctors. We call on our legislators to do the right thing and vote against this harmful bill.”
President Biden has repeatedly promised to veto any bill that would legislate discrimination against transgender people.
Last year, anti-equality House Republicans tried to include more than 50 anti-LGBTQ+ provisions in the annual spending bill. Thanks to the work of HRC, advocates, and equality advocates, all but one of these provisions were ultimately removed from these bills.
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are accepted as full members of society at home, at work, and in every community.
