Providing for Consideration of H.R. Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year and Providing for Consideration of H.R. Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025

Floor Speech

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Ms. McBRIDE. Mr. Speaker, I know a few Members of this Chamber can't seem to muster any maturity when they have a transgender colleague, but members of the U.S. Armed Forces can and have.

For years, transgender people have been serving in our military. There was no problem until Donald Trump decided to fire thousands of qualified, capable servicemembers simply because of their gender identity.

These servicemembers were proudly serving arm in arm with their peers: deploying, training, leading, and sacrificing. They met the same standards, passed the same tests, earned the same promotions, and they were praised by their commanding officers.

There was no problem until the Trump administration created a problem by removing thousands of loyal patriots from service, squandering investments made in their training and careers, and disrupting lives and units.

That is why I introduced an amendment to repeal this ban because this ban doesn't strengthen our military. It weakens it. It doesn't uphold our values. It betrays them. It sends the cruelest message to some of our most devoted patriots that one identity they hold matters more than their service.

My second amendment restores retirement benefits to transgender veterans who were forced out of the Armed Forces just shy of 20 years of service.

Under the law, they should qualify for early retirement benefits just like everyone else would. Many received approval only to have it revoked simply because of their gender identity. They wore the uniform. They kept their promise to us. It is time we keep our promise to them.

It is one thing for some of my colleagues to disrespect me, but it is another thing entirely to disrespect the people who lay down their lives for this country.

Unfortunately, the majority in this body refuses to let us vote on these amendments, but I will not stop standing up for every patriot who serves our country, which until now I thought was a noncontroversial and bipartisan idea.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Foxx), the Chairwoman of the Rules Committee and the toughest lady in Congress.

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