Rep. Vicky Hartzler calls to reverse transgender military policy

Missouri Representative Vicky Hartzler proposed and then withdrew an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would bar transgender citizens from joining the military.

Rep. Hartzler issued a statement after withdrawing the amendment. She said the Department of Defense should address the matter internally, though she said she could bring it up again in July.

The proposed measure would reverse an Obama-era policy allowing transgender citizens to join and be recruited by the military.

“The policy is costly and a threat to our readiness,” Rep. Hartzler said. “The deployability of individuals going through the sex transition process is highly problematic, requiring 210 to 238 work days where a soldier is non-deployable after surgery. This recovery time equates to 1.4 million manpower days where transgender personnel cannot deploy and fight our nation’s wars, therefore relying on an already stressed force to pick up the burden. It makes no sense to purposely recruit individuals who cannot serve.”

Hartzler also said this is an issue of fairness, stating those with “lesser physical issues” like flat feet, bunions, asthma or sleep walking are already turned away from the armed forces.

“Military service is a privilege – not a right – predicated on the singular goal of fighting and winning our nation’s wars,” said Rep. Hartzler. “High entry and retention standards are required because failure on the job costs lives. Last year’s transgender decision is costly in dollars and short on common sense.”