House Republicans have tucked a provision into a must-pass defense bill that would strip health care from military families’ transgender kids, putting parents in a position of having to choose between their careers in the military and providing medically necessary health care for their loved ones.
The language slipped into the National Defense Authorization Act, which the House is voting on later this week, is buried on page 399 of the 1,813-page bill. Republicans added it at the last minute, after Democrats had worked with them to help craft the legislation.
It’s just one sentence: “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.”
“Must pass” is part of the language that ostensibly liberal media outlets like HuffPost use to cover for Democrats rolling over yet again.
Literally nothing “must pass” we’ve had how many government shutdowns from Republican shitfits over stupid culture wars and cynical “fiscal responsibilities” whilst rubber stamping national defense budget blowouts?
Democrats can add poison pill amendments too, or at least burn down the clock with the filibuster they cling too so desperately each time they achieve a majority. But they don’t, because deep down most of them are okay with this.