WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House just defeated the discriminatory Hartzler Amendment by a close 214-209 vote. The measure, which would have barred the Defense Department from expending funds on transition-related care, was introduced by Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) as part of the fiscal year 2018 defense authorization bill.
The Washington Blade reported that Hartzler had insisted the amendment does “not preclude service by transgenders” and permits them to have health care other those related to gender transition, even though transgender service members across the board will likely need access to some form of transition-related care to remain in the armed forces.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said, “Make no mistake, the effect and the intent of this unjust and mean-spirited amendment is to ban patriotic Americans from serving our country. It is designed to drum transgender servicemembers out of the military. Instead of protecting the men and women who risk their lives to defend our freedoms, they are fighting to rip away the health care of thousands of brave service members.”
In response to the news GLAAD posted the following tweet:
