House GOP targets diversity, inclusion, and LGBTQ rights in defense bill.
House Republicans are gearing up to use this year’s indispensable defense policy bill as a way to push back against progressive Biden administration policies on diversity, LGBTQ representation, and gender ideology.
With more than 1,300 amendments on the table for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of fiscal year 2025, this annual legislation outlines the Pentagon’s priorities along with national security-related measures in the Department of Energy.
At least 10 proposed amendments are targeting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the Pentagon.
Among these proposals are efforts to eliminate the department’s primary diversity offices – the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion – along with their respective staff.
One significant measure, introduced by Reps. Glenn Grothman, R-Wis., and Jim Banks, R-Ind., seeks to prevent U.S. service academies from using federal funds to establish DEI offices. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., submitted a broad initiative that would restrict any NDAA funding from being used for DEI programs, offices, or personnel.
The current text of the NDAA in the House includes a provision to prevent Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin from forming a DEI-related committee or group for Pentagon-funded schools.
However, a counter amendment from Democrat Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, was put forth to challenge this policy.
The House Rules Committee, which acts as the final obstacle for legislation before being considered at the chamber level, is scheduled to review the NDAA on Tuesday, setting the stage for a mid-June House vote – coinciding with Pride Month, which has also become a focal point for House Republicans.
Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., has introduced two separate amendments focusing on the month-long LGBTQ Pride event. One proposal aims to halt the use of federal funds for Pride Month celebrations or curriculum within Pentagon-controlled schools, while the other demands a report from Austin comparing the taxpayer money spent on Pride Month activities within the department against that spent on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
In addition to these efforts, House Republicans have put forward at least five amendments to prevent federal funding from supporting transgender surgeries and other gender-affirming care. One such amendment by Banks and Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., seeks to block military reassignments when requested based on a service member or relative seeking access to trans medical care.
Another two amendments are aimed at prohibiting materials promoting “radical gender ideology” in schools under Pentagon jurisdiction.
It remains to be seen how many of these amendments will ultimately receive a vote on the House floor, a decision that rests with the House Rules Committee following their Tuesday meeting.
However, it is unlikely that these culture war-related measures will garner any Democratic support. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, released a statement last week urging Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to steer clear of adding “poison pills or partisan riders” before bringing the NDAA to the floor.
In his statement, Smith emphasized the importance of upholding the bipartisan traditions of the House Armed Services Committee and avoiding the politicization of the defense bill.
