House passes resolution opposing Trump’s transgender military ban.
The House of Representatives passed a resolution last month expressing opposition to the Trump administration’s ban on transgender service members in the military, reports CNN.
The resolution “strongly opposes President (Donald) Trump’s discriminatory ban on transgender members of the Armed Forces,” and “rejects the flawed scientific and medical claims upon which it is based.”
The vote was 238-185, and five Republicans voted with Democrats.
The five Republicans who bucked party leadership and voted for the resolution, were Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA). Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (IN), Rep. Will Hurd (TX), Rep. John Katko (NY) and Rep. Tom Reed (NY).
The resolution “strongly urges the Department of Defense to not reinstate President Trump’s ban” and “to maintain an inclusive policy allowing qualified transgender Americans to enlist and serve in the Armed Forces.”
In January, the Supreme Court allowed Trump’s transgender military ban to go into effect, in a blow to activists who say the ban is discriminatory, irrational and cruel.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the Trump administration’s ban “an act of cruelty” in a speech on the House floor and said, “the men and women who step forward to serve in the US military are patriots, all of them.”
“The House will continue to fight this discriminatory action, which has no place in our country,” the California Democrat said. “We will never allow hate and prejudice to dictate our national security.”
