U.S. Senate Advances Controversial Defense Bill Limiting Gender-Affirming Care for Military Families

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate advanced a national defense authorization bill on Wednesday, approved with an overwhelming vote of 85-14 and sending it to President Joe Biden. At $884.9 billion, the legislation boasts troop pay raises and enhancements to military housing but sparked controversy over its treatment of transgender youth in military families.

The bipartisan support highlights a strong consensus on various defense priorities. Senators praised the bill for integrating investments in artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. However, dissent arose from Democrats who condemned a section that restricts military health coverage for treatments related to gender dysphoria in children.

The House approved the defense package earlier this month with a 241-180 bipartisan vote, marking a continuation of Congress’s longstanding annual tradition of passing the military funding bill, now in its 64th consecutive year. The vote’s outcome mirrored those of prior years, underscoring a historical pattern of bipartisan cooperation in defense matters.

Key to the bill is a provision that prohibits TRICARE, the military’s health insurance, from covering interventions for service members’ children seeking gender dysphoria treatment. While the Pentagon has not disclosed specific figures, Democrats argue that this restriction could impact thousands of military families across the nation.

According to research, over 113,900 teenagers live in states that have enacted bans on gender-affirming care. Backed by the Association of American Medical Colleges, this response highlights a trend of similar legislative actions across more than 20 states. The specifics of the care affected include hormone therapies and puberty blockers.

Senator Jack Reed, a Democrat and chair of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, expressed disappointment regarding the inclusion of the ban, which he deemed misguided. He emphasized the importance of the overall defense package, asserting its necessity to address current threats to national security.

Conversely, Senator Roger Wicker highlighted what he deems the package’s significant achievements, including a pay increase of 4.5% for service members and a targeted 10% raise for junior enlisted troops. He also emphasized measures to bolster military recruitment and addressed the withholding of funds for certain gender-related medical interventions.

This year’s defense bill faced unique scrutiny, with Senator Tammy Baldwin breaking from tradition to oppose the measure for the first time in her Senate career. Baldwin criticized Republican attempts to earn political points at the expense of service members’ rights, insisting that health decisions should remain with families rather than politicians.

Despite the tensions, some senators, including Kim, voiced concerns over the use of political issues within a bipartisan defense framework. Still, Kim ultimately supported the bill, reflecting the complexities of navigating both party lines and critical legislation. The discourse surrounding these provisions signals a pivotal moment in legislative discussions on military policies impacting embracing diverse service member experiences.

Last updated 5:52 p.m., Dec. 18, 2024