Bill Proposed by Democratic Lawmaker Prohibits Discrimination in Military
Democratic House member Rep. Marilyn Strickland plans to introduce a bill that would prohibit discrimination in the military based on characteristics such as race, gender, and sexual orientation. The legislation, set to be introduced on the 75th anniversary of the desegregation of the military, would prevent the Pentagon from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The bill would also emphasize that eligibility for service should only be determined by one’s ability to meet occupational standards. Strickland argues that the bill is necessary to counter efforts by extremist members of the Republican Party to undermine racial equality and inclusivity in the military. The bill aligns with another piece of legislation introduced earlier this year by Rep. Sara Jacobs, which focuses on preventing discrimination against LGBTQ+ troops and opposing a reinstatement of the ban on transgender military service. However, Strickland’s bill has a broader scope and aims to address recruitment and retention challenges in order to strengthen national security and readiness. It is unlikely that the bills will advance in the Republican-controlled House, as House Republicans have included provisions in their defense policy bill that seek to end Pentagon diversity programs and ban gender-affirming healthcare for transgender troops.
