An investigation into Pentagon policies dealing with gender identity, gender transition and “inclusive” gender language was blocked by Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee Tuesday.
Republicans led by Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., pushed for passage of their “resolution of inquiry” that would formally ask the Pentagon for any and all records dealing with its gender-related policies.
Clyde’s resolution asks for any record that includes the words transgender, gender identity, gender transition, gender reassignment, gender affirming, gender neutral, gender dysphoria, nonbinary, gendered language, safe space and inclusive language. Under President Biden, the Pentagon in 2021 announced it recognizes transgender and non-conforming people, and would work to advance the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and “questioning individuals.” . . . .
. . . . Republicans argued that “woke” leaders at the Pentagon are the reason why recruiting numbers are down.
“The woke ideology that Secretary [Lloyd] Austin has advanced has harmed our military,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who added the resolution is needed because the Pentagon refuses to answer questions about what it’s doing on gender, race and other issues.
Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Okla., said she recently met a service member at Fort Sill who said he joined the military to get free gender reassignment surgery. “This is an issue and I do feel we should be looking at it,” she said.
The top Republican on the committee, Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama, promised that Republicans would fully investigate this issue and others when they take charge in January. . . . . (Fox News, 13 Dec 22-Read the rest)
Additional
Democrats scuttle debate over ‘woke’ military policies … for now (Military Times, 13 DEC 22)
House Democrats on Tuesday staved off a floor debate over “woke” military policies regarding force diversity, but likely only for a short while. That’s because House Republicans vowed to return to the issue when they take the majority in the chamber, which happens at the start of next year. . . .
House GOP falls short in effort to get Pentagon info on ‘woke’ policies (Washington Times, 13 Dec 22)
A Republican-backed measure to pry loose Pentagon documents on “woke” policies in the U.S. military fell short Tuesday amid opposition from Democrats — but the vote underscored how the GOP will zero in on the issue once it takes control of the House in January. The House Armed Service Committee considered a “resolution of inquiry” that would have compelled the Biden administration to provide Congress with a trove of information related to Defense Department policies on gender identity, gender transition, gender-neutral pronouns, so-called safe spaces and other matters that Republicans say are hurting national security by sucking up time, energy and resources inside the military. The resolution was reported unfavorably by a vote of 30 to 26, meaning it won’t move ahead as long as House Democrats control the chamber. . . .
Republicans Tee Up Challenge to Open Transgender Military Service Ahead of House Majority (Military.com, 13 Dec 22)
U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), Lead Republican of the House Armed Services Committee, delivered the following opening statement at the full committee markup for H. Res. 1475.
Thank you Mr. Chairman. I support this Resolution of Inquiry. I commend the Gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Clyde, for introducing it.
Americans are growing increasingly concerned with the direction of the military in recent years.
DoD’s current political appointees are pushing questionable policies on our troops just to satisfy the ideological agenda of a minority of Americans. They understand that using military orders is the most efficient way to usher in rapid and unprecedented social change they seek.
But it’s not the right thing to do. Our troops should not be the vanguard for the left’s social agenda.
Many of the orders issued by the current Secretary of Defense are damaging morale and unit cohesion. They’re hurting recruiting and retention. And they’re undermining readiness.
The civilian leadership at DoD should be focused on building the world’s most lethal fighting force. They should be devoting their attention to deterring China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and a long list of others that seek to do us harm.
Instead, they’re doing somersaults to satisfy the far-left’s political agenda.
I think that’s wrong.
This Resolution of Inquiry gets at part of these concerns. It would give Congress a better understanding of where some of these policies came from and why they were implemented. I think that’s important information for us to have to carry out our Constitutional duty.
Finally, I disagree with the Pentagon’s doomsday scenario that this very simple and straightforward request for documents will somehow cripple their ability to carry out day-to-day operation. I suspect the Pentagon will be opposed to any effort by this Committee to turn over documents on these questionable policies.
But we’ll find out for sure next year. Next year, the new majority will be conducting robust oversight of these issues and we will demand accountability from this administration.
H.Res.1475 – Of inquiry requesting the President and directing the Secretary of Defense to transmit to the House of Representatives any record created on or after January 21, 2021, under the control of the President or the Secretary, respectively, that refers to the Department of Defense and includes certain terms and phrases relating to gender: (1) Transgender. (2) Gender identity. (3) Gender transition. (4) Gender reassignment. (5) Gender affirming. (6) Gender neutral. (7) Gender dysphoria. (8) Nonbinary (or non-binary). (9) Gendered language. (10) Safe space. (11) Inclusive language
WATCH: US House Armed Services Committee Hearing: Markup of H. Res. 1475 (13 Dec 2022)
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