On Tuesday, the Democratic majority on the House Armed Services Committee voted down an effort by Republicans to launch an investigation into efforts to indoctrinate members of the military with the ideology of transgenderism and other sex-based identity politics.
As reported by the Daily Caller, Congressman Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) introduced the resolution of inquiry that would have ordered the Department of Defense (DOD) to turn over to the committee any and all records referencing transgenderism, gender transition, and gender ideology. Democrats on the committee voted against the resolution, claiming that Republicans were simply exploiting a possible investigation for political points rather than for the purpose of conducting a meaningful investigation.
The resolution specifically required the DOD to hand over documents of communications that include the words “transgender, gender identity, gender transition, gender reassignment, gender affirming, gender neutral, gender dysphoria, nonbinary, gendered language, safe space” and “inclusive language.” Many of these words have been used in new training seminars implemented in every branch of the military under the Biden Administration, including forcing the false belief that there are more than two genders, and that anyone can change their gender at any time, the core tenets of transgenderism.
Congressman Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the outgoing chair of the House Armed Services Committee, described the GOP attempt as “the mother of all fishing expeditions,” and claimed that it would serve “no particular purpose.”
Republicans have countered by pointing out that such divisive training and the forced implementation of identity politics will only harm military unity, which is crucial to a stable and functioning armed services.
“The woke ideology that Secretary [Lloyd] Austin has advanced has harmed our military,” said Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.). Gaetz argued that such a resolution was needed “because we don’t get straight answers when we ask them directly.”
Congressman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) agreed with Gaetz’s assessment, stating that “Our troops should not be the vanguard for the left’s social agenda.” Rogers vowed that such an investigation would ultimately be carried out after the new GOP majority in the House of Representatives is formally sworn-in in January.