Discussion · House of Representatives
Lauren Boebert Republican
“I want the House to pass my amendment. It stops transgender people from serving in the military. Other serious mental health conditions already disqualify people, and gender dysphoria should be treated the same way.”
“Madam Chair, since a member of this committee did not reserve the time, I reserve my right to close at this time. I would just say if gender dysphoria isn’t a mental illness, then why do 42 percent of those who identify as transgender attempt suicide? We don’t hand nuclear weapons and fighter jets to people in that kind of crisis. We shouldn’t start now. We should be helping these people in real ways rather than handing them weapons of destruction. This is a very serious issue that we should address right now. No other severe mental disorder gets a waiver into the United States military. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, they are all disqualifying. Gender dysphoria is no different, except politicians changed the label. My amendment treats it exactly the same. Madam Chair, I urge adoption of my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.”
Madam Chair, since a member of this committee did not reserve the time, I reserve my right to close at this time. I would just say if gender dysphoria isn’t a mental illness, then why do 42 percent of those who identify as transgender attempt suicide? We don’t hand nuclear weapons and fighter jets to people in that kind of crisis. We shouldn’t start now. We should be helping these people in real ways rather than handing them weapons of destruction. This is a very serious issue that we should address right now. No other severe mental disorder gets a waiver into the United States military. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, they are all disqualifying. Gender dysphoria is no different, except politicians changed the label. My amendment treats it exactly the same. Madam Chair, I urge adoption of my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.