The House of Representatives approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Wednesday in a 281–140 vote. This annual defense bill, authorizing approximately $900 billion in spending, includes a contentious provision that bans gender-transition surgeries and related treatments for minors of military members under the healthcare program Tricare.
The vote saw bipartisan participation, with 200 Republicans and 81 Democrats voting in favor, while 124 Democrats and 16 Republicans opposed the measure, according to the Daily Wire.
Section 708 of the NDAA explicitly 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.” This provision also bars Tricare from covering such procedures for minors.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) emphasized the importance of the measure in combating what he described as “radical gender ideology.” Johnson told reporters, “Taxpayer dollars should never be used to support procedures and treatments that could permanently harm and sterilize young people. This year’s NDAA takes a critical and necessary step to protect the children of American service members from radical gender ideology and experimental drugs.”
Johnson pledged that House Republicans would continue advocating for policies to safeguard children,