House Approves Defense Bill Restricting Minor Gender Transition Procedures
In a significant legislative move, the U.S. House of Representatives has voted to pass a defense funding bill that includes a controversial provision affecting military healthcare. The bill, which saw approval on Wednesday, aims to restrict coverage for gender transition procedures for minor relatives of service members.
The Republican-majority House passed an amendment to the WILD Act, known as the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, by a 281-140 vote. This amendment specifically targets the TRICARE Program, which is the healthcare system for military members and their families, to cease covering medical interventions for gender dysphoria in children under 18 that may lead to sterilization.
Voting largely followed party lines with 200 Republicans and 81 Democrats in favor, while 124 Democrats and 16 Republicans opposed the measure. The future of this amendment now lies with the Democrat-led Senate and President Joe Biden. The Senate could decide to alter or maintain this provision, and if President Biden vetoes the bill, a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate would be required to override it.
Advocates from various sides have weighed in on the decision. Family Research Council President Tony Perkins expressed approval on social media, calling it positive news for the National Defense Authorization Act. Conversely, Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson condemned the amendment, stating, “Today, politicians in the House betrayed our nation’s promise to those who serve,” as detailed in a statement.
This legislative move aligns with broader national trends, as over half of U.S. states have implemented bans on certain medical interventions for minors with gender dysphoria. This issue gained further attention with the recent U.S. Supreme Court hearings on Tennessee’s statute concerning gender transition procedures for minors.
Medical concerns are central to the debate, with groups such as the American College of Pediatricians highlighting potential side effects of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, ranging from sterility to increased risks of severe health conditions. Notably, detransitioner Chloe Cole has publicly shared her challenging experiences with gender transition procedures, filing a lawsuit against medical providers.
Internationally, health authorities in countries like the United Kingdom and New Zealand are adopting cautious stances on treatments for minors with gender dysphoria. England’s NHS has limited the use of puberty blockers to clinical research, while New Zealand’s Ministry of Health recently acknowledged the scarcity of evidence for such treatments and is considering regulatory changes following a public consultation process.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
