WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House narrowly rejected an amendment Tuesday that would have written President Donald Trump’s restrictions on transgender military service into federal law.
The amendment, introduced by Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, failed 212-217 during debate over the annual National Defense Authorization Act. Four Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the proposal.
Trump issued an executive order after returning to office directing the Pentagon to exclude transgender people from military service. The administration argues that gender dysphoria and medical treatments associated with gender transition conflict with military readiness, discipline and deployment requirements.
Boebert’s amendment would have made those restrictions part of the defense authorization law, potentially making them more difficult for a future president to reverse.
The vote occurred weeks after a divided federal appeals court blocked the Pentagon from removing transgender plaintiffs who are already serving. The court’s majority found that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s policy appeared motivated by unconstitutional hostility toward transgender people.
However, the ruling allows the military to continue preventing new transgender applicants from enlisting while litigation proceeds. The administration has indicated it will appeal.
The broader NDAA establishes Pentagon policies and authorizes defense programs, military construction and national security activities. The amendment’s defeat does not itself repeal Trump’s executive order or the Pentagon’s current enlistment restrictions.
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