Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

Floor Speech

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Ms. BALINT. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to this amendment.

If passed, this amendment would immediately prohibit TRICARE coverage of mental health counseling for transgender young people. Let me repeat that. This amendment would take away mental health care services for transgender kids of servicemembers. That is what we are talking about.

This amendment is intentionally discriminatory and will result in higher rates of mental health issues and suicide for trans youth, kids who already experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide compared to their peers.

Republicans' all-out assault on healthcare right now has put these people into a state of constant fear and anxiety. Imagine that you are a servicemember, you are a parent, and you hear from a doctor that Congress has banned medically necessary care endorsed by every major medical association that would literally help save your child's life. All young people in this country should have access to the mental health care that they need, full stop.

Forcing servicemembers to choose between being able to provide healthcare for their family, for their kids, or serving their country does not make our military stronger, does not make our country safer, and it will not--no matter what the Member says, it will not make transgender people in this country disappear.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

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