House Republicans are using this year’s must-pass defense policy bill as a platform to challenge Biden administration policies on diversity, LGBTQ representation, and gender ideology. Over 1,300 amendments have been proposed to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2025, which outlines Pentagon priorities and national security measures within the Department of Energy.
Among these proposals, at least 10 target Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the Pentagon. Several amendments aim to dismantle the department’s two principal diversity offices: the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, along with their staff. Representatives Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.) proposed banning U.S. service academies from using federal funds to create DEI offices, while Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) introduced a broad measure to block any NDAA funding from supporting DEI programs, offices, or personnel.
The current NDAA text includes a provision to prevent Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin from establishing DEI-related committees or groups for Pentagon-funded schools. In response, Rep. Shontel Brown (D-Ohio) introduced a Democrat-led amendment to block this policy.
The House Rules Committee, which reviews legislation before it is considered by the full chamber, is set to take up the NDAA on Tuesday, setting the stage for a mid-June House vote coinciding with Pride Month. During this time, House Republicans are scrutinizing Pride Month with two amendments from Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), one of which would ban federal funds for Pride Month celebrations or instruction within Pentagon-run schools, while the other mandates a report comparing spending on Pride Month events to Memorial Day and Veterans Day expenditures.
Additionally, House Republicans have proposed at least five amendments to block federal funding for transgender surgeries and gender-affirming care, including a measure by Banks and Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) to prevent military reassignments if based on seeking trans medical care. Two more amendments aim to ban materials promoting “radical gender ideology” in Pentagon-run schools.
When asked for comment on these amendment proposals, the Pentagon declined to comment on pending legislation.
It remains unclear how many of these amendments will be brought to a vote on the House floor, a decision to be made by the House Rules Committee during their Tuesday afternoon meeting. These measures are unlikely to receive Democratic support.
