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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández issued the following statement after the House vote on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill passed the House today 281-140. 

Watch the Congresswoman’s NDAA speech on the floor of the House.

“Much of this year’s NDAA is rooted in improving the quality of life for our service members and their families,” said Congresswoman Leger Fernández. “These measures, like the 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted service members and 4.5 percent pay raise for all other service members, provide our military personnel with the resources they deserve,” she continued.

“That’s why it’s appalling that the Republican majority decided to use the historically bipartisan bill to attack military families with the inclusion of a provision which would deny parents the ability to provide health care for their  transgender children. For the first time ever, this NDAA is attacking a military parent’s right to choose the health care their children need to survive. This breach of trust in a parent’s right to help their children was opposed by the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee. The process was also criticized by the Republican Chair of the Armed Services Committee.”

“Imagine, you are serving in the Marines because you and your family love your country. But, your child who is suffering comes to you. Their pain is so great that they tell you they are contemplating suicide. Of course, as a parent you want to do everything you can to help your child. And the medical profession has tools to help. They can help you treat your child, save your child. But, with this bill, Republicans in Congress are now telling patriotic service members they cannot get the medical help their child needs.”

“The House and Senate Committees on Armed Services did not ask for this ban. Speaker Johnson inserted it into the bill at the last minute to divide Americans. Politicizing the annual defense bill actively undermines our national security.”

“Sadly, children are more likely to attempt and commit suicide when they are bullied, and this bill amounts to bullying at a national scale. I am not going to interfere with a patriotic parent serving in the military and the care they want to give to their children. I will vote no,” she concluded.

The Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (FY25 NDAA) was anchored by the yearlong work and final report of the bipartisan Quality of Life panel, which focused on pay and compensation, housing, health care, childcare, and spousal support. The Congresswoman spoke in favor of this good work for quality-of-life issues on the House Floor. 

Her vote today was against the last-minute politicization of the bill by Republican leadership even as she supports other aspects of the NDAA.