1. United States
2. R.I.
3. Letter

The National Defense Authorization Bill has one line buried on page 399 that would strip healthcare from transgender children in military families. Doing this is, of course, transphobic and cruel to children who are struggling to understand themselves, but doing it in this manner is so incredibly underhanded and sneaky. Here is the relevant text: Section 1079(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (20) Medical interventions for the treatment of gender dysphoria that could result in sterilization may not be provided to a child under the age of 18. Please strike this addendum before passing this bill. Thank you.