Mr. Thornberry i have no further requests on this en bloc package and yield back. The chair the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from washington is recognized. Mr. Smith thank you, i yield myself such time as i may consume just to say i urge support for the en bloc package and reeled back the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman from washington yields back. The gentleman from texas yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Thornberry i think i yielded back. The chair in that case, the question is on the amendment en bloc offered by the gentleman from washington. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. The en bloc amendments are greed to. It is now in order to consider amendment number 3 printed in part b of house report 116143. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition . Ms. Speier i have an amendment at the desk. The chair the clerk will designate the amendment. The clerk amendment number 3 printed in part b of house report 116143, offered by ms. Speier of california. The chair pursuant to the House Resolution 436, the gentlewoman from california, ms. Speier, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. The chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from california. Ms. Speier thank you, i recognize myself for two minutes. The chair the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Speier i rise in support of my amendment to affirm the rights of all people regardless of race, religion, National Origin, or sex, including Sexual Orientation or gender identity to serve openly in our armed forces so long as they meet gender neutral standards. This debate affects real Service Members who have served courageously. I want you to hear their stories. Navy Lieutenant Commander blake griffin, a transman has served for 15 years and received the prestigious award. Captain jennifer peace has served 15 years and is deployed to afghanistan and iraq multiple time. My captain olivia selleck, a transwoman, commissioned over 10 year ago, received the bronze star medal. Kira has been in the nea seven years and deployed across the gleb. Staff Sergeant Patricia king is a transwoman retiring after 20 years. 20 years, members. And has led combat infantry units over three deployments in afghanistan. Over the last three years, 14,000 transgender Service Members have served openly and successfully, all five Service Chiefs affirmed they do not hamper the hamper lethality or cohighs hetion. Malice cannot stop us giving medical care to those brave enough to serve. We know what Transgender Service people bring to the fight, let them bring it. I yield one minute to my colleague from california, congresswoman davis, who has aptly represented this Committee Many times over. The chair the gentlewoman from california is recognized. Mrs. Davis thank you, mr. Chairman. I want to thank my colleague from california for her work to undo the damage the president has done to transgender Service Members and our armed forces. This ban endangers transgender soldiers and tells all Transgender Americans that they are not fit to serve their country. The harry truman amendment will reduce the president s arm reverse the president s harmful ban and protect transgender soldiers from further discrimination. Though the president cited concerns over readiness, unit cohesion an medical costs, they have been untable back up their claims. Mr. Chairman, transgender troops have served openly at home, overseas, and in combat zones since 2016 without incident. A finding supported by the chief of staff of every Service Branch. The truman amendment extends federal protections to transgender soldiers and makes it unlawful to exclude anyone from Service Based on their jenner identity. Transgender Service Members testified in the house that serving openly dramatically improved their quality of life and their service to our country. I urge a yes vote on this amendment. The chair the gentlewomans time has expired. The jovepl from california, ms. Speier, reserves the balance of her time. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Thornberry i ask unanimous consent to claim time in opposition though im not completely im sure im opposed to the amendment. The chair without objection, the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Thornberry at this point i yield three minutes to the distinguished gentlelady from missouri, mrs. Hartzler. The chair the gentlelady is recognized for three minutes. Mrs. Hartzler being from missouri, i think harry truman would be shocked that this would be named after him. The limb nates all enlistment requirements except the gender neutral standard. It says any standards for eligibility shall take into account only, only the ability of an individual to meat genderneutral occupational standards for military service and it goes on, intened or not i am concerned that this means that an individual with a chronic illness with zero ability to deploy could apply for and join the military as long as the candidate meets the gender neutral occupational standards. This is not how the military recruits and retains the best military fighting force. The military prides itself on high medical and physical standards. Currently if you meet both standards then you may be granted the honor of serving. The military is under no only fwation to accept individuals who do not meet the medical criteria for service. The militarys recrutement process doesnt screen for race, religion, color or National Origin or sex. Neither does it screen for gender preference. It seems that the intent of this amendment is to gut the president s recently implemented policy on transgender Service Members which i would remind everyone allows transgenders to serve. It allows transgenders to serve. In their biological sex. Except for those except for those who have undergone treatments for gender disforea which would make them nondeployable. And i remind my colleagues that the d. O. D. Policy is based on medical conditions, not an individuals fluid and preferred gender identity. Its based on deployability and readiness. Not discrimination. The trump policy states, anyone who meets military standards without special accommodations can and should be table serve, this includes transgender persons. This amendment appears to gut the militarys ability to ensure our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines can medically serve by saying the d. O. D. Can only take them into account whether or not an individual meets gender neutral occupational standards. Military service is a privilege, its not a right. It would be unwise for us to make exceptions to service for one specific entity who could not meet medical standards and that is why i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment and i urge i yield back. The chair the gentlewoman yields back. The gentleman reserves. The gentleman from the gentlewoman from california is recognized. Ms. Speier i yield 45 seconds to my great colleague, mr. Brown, from maryland. The chair the gentleman from maryland is recognized. Mr. Brown i support i rise in support of congressman spears amendment congresswoman speiers amendment. My background as an africanamerican leads me to believe that all americans who want to serve and meet our standards should be allowed to serve. This codifies the standard for all americans, would end President Trumps ban on transgender Service Members and realize president trumans promise of the equality of treatment and opportunity for all those who serve in our countrys defense that he made when he desegregated the armed forces. Those who argue against Transgender Service often say it disrupts unit cohesion, erodes morale and reduces effectiveness. These argues regrettably were used to keep africanamericans, women, and lesbian and gay members from serving. Transgender Service Member, we need their service, they need their skills work need their courage, we need their patriotism and they need our support. I yield back the balance of my time. The chair the gentlewoman from california reserves. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Thornberry i only have myself to close and i reserve the balance of the time. The chair the gentleman reserves. The gentlewoman from california is recognized. Ms. Speier may i inquire how much time i have remaining . The chair 1 3 4. Spoirspoir all right. I now yield ms. Speier all right. I now yield one minute to my colleague from massachusetts, mr. Kennedy. The chair the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Kennedy thank you, mr. Speaker. I want to thank the chairwoman for her passionate work on this issue. The president s transgender military ban doesnt just ignore science, expert testimony, military experience and the advice of all five military chiefs of staff, it ignores the men and women who are willing to die in defense of our freedom. So i ask my colleagues one simple question. Are you willing to look into the eyes of a Trans Service member and tell them that they are not qualified to serve in our Nations Armed forces simply because of who they are . That our country wont allow them their most basic freedom, while expecting them to die for our own. If our nations fundamental promise its our nations fundamental promise that we are all created if our nations fundamental promise that all are created equal doesnt you a ply to all, then what are we asking them to defend anyway . I yield back. The chair the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Thornberry i continue to reserve. The chair the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentlewoman from california is recognized. Ms. Speier i thank the gentleman. I now yield 30 seconds to my holland eague, ms. From new mexico. The chair the gentlewoman is recognized. Mr. Hollingsworth thank you, mr. Speaker mr. Ohalleran thank you, mr. Speaker ms. Haaland thank you, mr. Speaker. We must treat our Service Members with respect and dignity. Both of my parents served and only judged their fellow Service Members on one standard. Their ability to complete the mission. Transgender Service Members honorably serve this country and are not any different than any other Service Member. They come from families where service is a tradition, they go through the same training and abide by the same requirements. They deserve fairness and respect and i urge the passage of this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time. The chair the gentlewoman yields back the balance of her time. The gentlewoman from california reserves. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Thornberry mr. Chairman, i continue to reserve. The chair the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentlewoman from california is recognized. Ms. Speier im prepared to close. So how much time do i have left, mr. Chairman . The chair 15 seconds. Ms. Speier 15 seconds. I will be brief. These are Service Members who deserve our support. These are Service Members who have already identified as trans members in our military. They provide no issues in terms of lethality or cohesion. They serve with distinction, with honor and its time for us repeal this illadvised amendment. The chair the gentlewomans time has expired. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Thornberry mr. Chairman, i yield myself the balance of the time. The chair the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Thornberry thank you. Mr. Chairman, id simply say, my view is that if a Service Member is qualified and can do the job without some sort of special accommodation, then we ought to take advantage of that members service. I know that secretary mattis has testified, quote, it is a bedrock principle of the department of defense that any eligible individual who can meet the high standards for military Service Without special accommodations should be permitted to serve. Thats what i believe. Ive read the gentleladys amendment. Its not clear to me that her amendment is in violation of that statement or my belief. I heard and listened clearly to the concerns mrs. Hartzler stated. So maybe we need to continue, as we move forward, to look at whether there are other consequences to the language. But it seems to me the standard that secretary mattis has set out, if you can do the job, you ought to be able to do the job, thats the right one. And i yield back. The chair the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from california. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. The amendment agreed to. Ms. Speier madam chair, i request a recorded vote. The chair a recorded vote is requested. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from california will e postponed. It is now in order to consider amendment number 6 printed in 143. B of house report 116 for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition . Ms. Speier madam chair, i have an amendment at the desk. The chair the clerk will designate the amendment. The clerk amendment number 6 printed in part b of house report 116143 offered by ms. Speier of california. The chair pursuant to House Resolution 476, the gentlewoman from california, ms. Speier, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. The chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from california for five minutes. Ms. Speier thank you, madam chair. We withdrew this particular amendment during the committees disposition on the ndaa, at the request of mr. Kelly. Because i recognize that he had some important points to make. I think this addresses his concern. This particular amendment ensures access to highquality education on Family Planning across military branches, to give our Service Members the tools they need to make the best Health Care Decisions for themselves and their families. According to the d. O. D. Estimates, the vast majority, some 95 of all women serving in our military are of reproductive age. Yet data from the department of Defense Survey shows insufficient access to comprehensive Family Planning education among our Service Members. Inadequate Family Planning education puts Service Members at highrisk of unplanned pregnancies and creates uncertainty in the retention of critical personnel. Not surprisingly, Research Shows that active duty Service Members of reproductive age have a rate of unplanned pregnancies that is 60 , i repeat, 60 higher than that of comparable women in the general population. The education on Family Planning is not just about contraception or pregnancy, its also about preventing sexually transmitted infections, including h. I. V. And staying healthy and informed. This amendment would create a uniform Education Program across all branches of the military so the Service Members receive current and medically accurate information. The education would be mandatory within the first year of service and additional education may be offered at the discretion of each Service Branch. This is an issue of basic health care, but its also a matter of military readiness and National Security. Our troops deserve the very best regardless of which branch of the military they serve. I now would like to yield one minute to mrs. Davis from alifornia. The chair the gentlelady is recognized for one minute. Mrs. Davis thank you, thank you, madam chair. Madam chair, i rise today to support the amendment offered by my colleague from california, ms. Speier. It provides our Service Members with medically accurate Educational Resources to help prevent unintended pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted infections. The courageous americans who put their lives on the line for our country, they deserve the best wellness education we can offer. And keeping them healthy helps maximize our militarys readiness. This commonsense amendment is recommended by the pentagons nonpartisan Defense Advisory Committee on women in the services. And therefore there should be broad bipartisan support and i encourage my colleagues who support our troops to vote for it. Madam chair, i reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. The gentlelady from california. Ms. Speier madam chair, i now offer one minute to my colleague from new mexico. The chair the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Ms. Haaland thank you, chairwoman. I rise in support of this amendment and i want to highlight three key points. The military women of reproductive age, they lack access to Adequate Health care. This is a health care problem. Unplanned pregnancies hamper readiness and make it harder for women to advance their careers. And this personnel issue can be easily remedied. A Service Branch shouldnt determine the quality of care our Service Members should have and this is an equality