South Carolina U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC 5th District) is the politician who added two amendments hindering diversity efforts and transgender health to the annual federal defense spending authorization bill, The State reported.
Rep. Ralph Norman
In line with the ongoing culture wars in the U.S., the amendments proposed bans to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices in the armed forces and to gender transition procedures for military families with special needs. Both were passed.
Still, the Democratic-controlled Senate – in contrast with the Republican-controlled House – is expected to pass its own version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This would force the two chambers to work out differences.
“The military’s sole focus is to protect the American people and our freedoms, NOT leftists’ feelings,” Norman posted on Twitter. He is a member of the U.S. House Freedom Caucus, a group of the most conservative members in Congress.
The targets of Norman’s anti-trans amendment, the Exceptional Family Member Program, is a mechanism through which military dependents with ongoing medical needs can get funding for health care. The program has been used to help families relocate to more transgender friendly states or make health care referrals.
“The Exceptional Family Member Program should be fully used to support families with special needs and chronic illnesses, NOT for gender transition procedures, including surgery and/or medication,” Norman posted online in a tweet.
