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Hoyer: Anti-LGBT Amendment Disparages All Who Serve and Wish To Serve Under Our Flag

Statement

Date: July 13, 2017
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Defense Military Personnel Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the Republican-controlled Rules Committee made in order Rep. Hartzler's amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which denies transgender service members essential medical care:

"The amendment to the defense authorization bill offered by Rep. Hartzler and made in order by the Rules Committee not only tells transgender Americans that they are not welcome in our military but also disparages all who serve and wish to serve under our flag. This amendment, which would ban the Defense Department from providing any transgender-related health care to service-members, is a slap in the face to those patriots who put their lives in harm's way to defend their fellow Americans. Never before has the Rules Committee permitted an amendment to reach the House Floor that directly attacks the rights of transgender Americans. I will strongly oppose this amendment and hope that Republicans who support the military's determination that transgender Americans can and ought to serve openly will join in defeating it."


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