The House of Representatives has passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included a provision prohibiting sex change procedures for minor children of military members.
This massive annual defense spending bill passed with a vote of 281 to 140, with 200 Republicans and 81 Democrats voting in favor, and 124 Democrats and 16 Republicans voting against. The NDAA authorizes a whopping $900 billion in defense spending.
Republicans added Section 708 to the measure, which states that “medical interventions for the treatment of gender dysphoria that could result in sterilization may not be provided to a child under the age of 18.”
The provision further states that coverage for these types of treatments will also not be allowed under Tricare, which is the healthcare program for military members.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) celebrated Section 708 as a “critical and necessary step” in the fight to protect children from “radical gender ideology.”
“Taxpayer dollars should never be used to support procedures and treatments that could permanently harm and sterilize young people,” he added. “In this year’s NDAA, we’re taking a critical and necessary step to protect the children of American service members from radical gender ideology and experimental drugs.”
Johnson also vowed that “House Republicans will continue to take action to protect America’s kids.”
Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX) also lauded the measure as a rejection of “the woke agenda.”
“Today’s NDAA is a step toward restoring our armed forces by rejecting the woke agenda and refocusing on military readiness,” he wrote in a post on X. “This bill bans TRICARE coverage for sex-change surgeries for minors, authorizes National Guard deployments to secure our southern border, and provides a 19.5% pay raise for junior enlisted personnel.”
“While this bill is a net positive, it’s not perfect,” the post continued. “Thankfully, we will soon have a new Commander-in-Chief who will take the necessary steps to complete what this bill started, fully restore our military’s focus on strength and readiness, and completely end the woke agenda across the federal government. This bill is just the beginning of the work that needs to be done.”
Today's NDAA is a step toward restoring our armed forces by rejecting the woke agenda and refocusing on military readiness.
This bill bans TRICARE coverage for sex-change surgeries for minors, authorizes National Guard deployments to secure our southern border, and provides a…
— Congressman Michael Cloud (@RepCloudTX) December 11, 2024
Of course, Democrats are whining that Section 708 is an attack on the transgender community, with House Armed Services Committee ranking member Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) calling it “bigoted against the trans community” and arguing that “crucial” health treatments were being denied.
However, not everyone was happy about the NDAA being passed — as many conservatives were outraged that the Republican-controlled House couldn’t wait just a few more weeks until President-elect Donald Trump takes office and Republicans take control of the Senate. Instead, they chose to pass an NDAA that was largely in favor of Democrats.
“Why would we pass a Democrat-supported NDAA when a Republican Senate will be sworn in just 22 days? Why would we bind Pete Hegseth on a Biden abortion travel policy through the DoD for the entire next year? Why would we hamstring the next administration for a year with leftist DEI policies? Republicans are about to have control of the House, Senate, and White House. We should act like it. No Christmas gifts for Democrats!” wrote Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL).
He went on to point out that the NDAA is missing conservative provisions that would “Prohibit enforcement of the DoD’s abortion travel guidance,” “End affirmative action at U.S. service academies,” “Reinstate service members discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine,” and “Roll back the Biden administration’s directive on injecting climate change requirements into contracting.”
Why would we pass a Democrat-supported NDAA when a Republican Senate will be sworn in just 22 days? Why would we bind Pete Hegseth on a Biden abortion travel policy through the DoD for the entire next year? Why would we hamstring the next administration for a year with leftist…
— Congressman Greg Steube (@RepGregSteube) December 11, 2024
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) also slammed the NDAA for containing $500 million in foreign aid, while also arguing that the transgender procedures provision was “poorly written” and has “some holes in it.”
NDAA passes with 1/2 Billion foreign aid $9 Billion new money. Lots of confusion. You all didn’t vote for this. pic.twitter.com/TWp5IEo2Z7
— Tim Burchett (@timburchett) December 11, 2024
