Congresswoman Schakowsky Statement On House Vote to Condemn Trump Ban on Transgender Military Service

Congresswoman Schakowsky Statement On House Vote to Condemn Trump Ban on Transgender Military Service

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and a founding member of the LGBT Equality Caucus, voted for House Resolution 124, expressing opposition to banning service in the Armed Forces by openly transgender individuals and made the following statement after the resolution passed the House by a vote of 238 to 185, with 1 present vote:

“Trump’s cruel ban is based on discrimination, not facts. Multiple courts have recognized this, and we must block it for good. Transgender men and women have been serving with honor, many of them on the front lines.

“I have been longtime ally and advocate for the transgender community. And now, I am an advocate for very personal reasons, as the grandmother of Issac. Efforts like this ban are an attack on all transgender people, whether they want to serve in the military or not. Most ordinary Americans, especially our younger generations, believe in equality for transgender people.

“If this ban stands, we will suffer in ways seen and unseen, especially when it comes to our national security. The Defense Department’s own research shows Trump’s ban would weaken our military. It means losing qualified, trained service members and depriving the military of qualified recruits at a time when enlistment numbers are already too low.

“I call on my colleagues in the Senate to join us in doing what is best for our country, our armed services, and our national security.”

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