House Republicans Introduce Bill To Permanently Ban Transgender Troops

House Republicans, led by Rep. Barry Moore of Alabama, have introduced the Readiness Over Wokeness Act, a bill aiming to make former President Donald Trump’s executive order banning transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. military permanent and expand its restrictions. The legislation targets anyone with a current or past diagnosis of gender dysphoria, those who have received gender-affirming care, or exhibit symptoms consistent with gender dysphoria, mandating their discharge and restricting access to national security roles. Moore and supporters argue that transgender service members undermine military readiness and effectiveness, asserting that medical treatments related to gender dysphoria impede the ability to meet military standards. Critics, including advocacy groups like the Modern Military Association of America, condemn the bill as a harsh, codified discrimination against transgender troops who have already faced discharges under Trump’s policy. The bill has reportedly received tacit approval from several federal agencies, including the Pentagon and National Security Council, and follows the Supreme Court's recent ruling allowing the ban to proceed. This legislative move intensifies ongoing debates over transgender rights and military service, with significant implications for thousands of active service members and veterans.