[Des Moines]— Rep. Steve King ( R-Iowa ) has proposed two amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 ( H.R. 2810 ) that directly oppose spending that benefits transgender service members.
On Thursday, July 6, Rep. King proposed an amendment to prohibit the use of Department of Defense funds for gender affirmation surgery or to "promote a transgender agenda" ( Amendment 337 ). The amendment is listed as "withdrawn" on the House of Representatives Committee on Rules website.
On Monday, July 10, Rep. King proposed another amendment to prohibit the use of Department of Defense funds to "conduct transgender sensitivity courses" and screen service members, including reservists, for gender affirmation surgery ( Amendment 406 ). The amendment was proposed after the Friday, July 7 amendment deadline for the bill and is listed as "late" on the House of Representatives Committee on Rules website.
One Iowa Executive Director Daniel Hoffman-Zinnel issued a statement condemning Rep. King's proposed amendments.
"With these amendments, Rep. King is telling transgender Iowans, specifically transgender service members and veterans, that they are not welcome in the U.S. military and their service is not valued. The only 'transgender agenda' these amendments would prevent is the ability for transgender service members to bring their whole selves to their mission and receive basic support from the nation they fight to protect. We urge Rep. King to withdraw Amendment 406 as he did Amendment 337 and apologize for his disrespect of our transgender service members who bravely serve our country despite policies and rhetoric that discourage them from doing so freely and openly."
One Iowa is the state's leading lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning ( LGBTQ ) organization working toward equality for LGBTQ individuals through grassroots efforts, education and advocacy.
