Lambda Legal Urges President Biden to Veto Discriminatory Defense Funding Bill

(Washington, DC, December 18, 2024) Today, the United States Senate passed a new defense spending bill that bans TRICARE, the military's health care program, from covering best practice medical care for transgender children of service members. Kristine Kippins, Deputy Legal Director for Policy at Lambda Legal, issued the following statement:

"It is unconscionable that both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives have approved a defense spending bill that singles out and denies servicemembers the ability to obtain critical medical care for their transgender and nonbinary children who suffer from gender dysphoria.

"Make no mistake: gender-affirming medical care for children is safe, effective, and essential, and endorsed by all major U.S. medical associations. But, instead of following the science, members of the House and Senate have approved a discriminatory ban on care that is readily provided for children who are not transgender. The wrongful targeting is manifest, and we call on President Biden to veto this cruel and harmful spending bill."

Contact: Tom Warnke; (c): 213-841-4503; Email twarnke@lambdalegal.org

Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people, and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education, and policy work. www.lambdalegal.org