GOP Congressman Opposes Effort To Use Defense Bill To Protect Children From Transgender Procedures

Republican Congressman Mike Rogers said Tuesday that he disagrees with the move to ban transgender procedures for military children in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), arguing that President-elect Donald Trump could resolve the issue upon taking office.

Rogers, Chair of the House Armed Services Committee, told The Hill’s Emily Brooks that he does not think that the NDAA should include such a provision, saying that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), “Didn’t talk to me about it.” He argued that the NDAA is historically bipartisan.

“My preference would have been that we just let the president, on Jan. 20, deal with these,” the Alabama Republican said, “which he’s already indicated he’s going to do.”

“[Trump] is going to stop all these social, cultural issues from being embedded as policies,” he added. “So my point is, I don’t know why this is in the bill when Jan. 20, it’s a moot point.”

The Daily Wire reported Saturday that Congress will ban the use of taxpayer funds for gender transition surgeries for children who get their medical care through the military’s health care program. This year’s NDAA includes language that prohibits coverage under TRICARE of transgender procedures that could “result in sterilization” of children.

Johnson told The Daily Wire on Saturday that the NDAA provision is a “critical and necessary step” in the fight against “radical gender ideology.”

“Taxpayer dollars should never be used to support procedures and treatments that could permanently harm and sterilize young people,” Johnson told The Daily Wire. “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.”

He further promised: “House Republicans will continue to take action to protect America’s kids.”

The provision comes amid a push for legislation banning these sorts of procedures across the country. The Supreme Court heard arguments earlier this month over Tennessee’s law that outlaws sex-change procedures for minors, and appears poised to uphold it. In the U.S. Senate, a Republican proposed legislation for a federal ban.

Rogers’s remarks prompted outrage from the American Principles Project’s Terry Schilling, who tweeted Tuesday: “Sex change procedures should never be funded by taxpayers. Especially in our military. But most especially FOR CHILDREN. Shame on MIKE ROGERS for hurting kids.”

I am once again asking Republicans to check their watches so they know what time it is. pic.twitter.com/xBPkHdhYYn

— Terry Schilling ???????? (@Schilling1776) December 10, 2024

Rogers did not respond to requests for comment from The Daily Wire.