Democratic Texas Rep. Colin Allred, who is running to unseat Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in November, implored the House Armed Services Committee on Friday to fund transgender surgeries for members of the military, according to a letter obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Transgender surgeries can cost taxpayers up to $200,000, and leave soldiers unable to deploy to combat zones. Up to half of people who undergo transgender surgeries “suffer life-threatening complications,” reports the London Daily Mail. “Up to half of trans men and women suffer post-op issues or pain so severe they need medical attention or additional surgery months later….Patients are often left with infections, pain and difficulty using the toilet or having sex post-surgery….the Women’s College Hospital (WCH) in Ontario, Canada, earlier this year found that more than half of trans women who had ‘bottom’ surgery were in so much pain years later they needed medical attention.”
Under a confidential Department of Defense memo, service members who identify as transgender are considered “non-deployable” for up to 300 days while taking hormones for their transition period. Because these hormones are often required for life, this may render the transgender identifying service member permanently unable to deploy.
Allred, joined by four other Democratic House members, argued in the letter that provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) prohibiting military funds from paying for transgender surgeries functionally barred service members from accessing “medically necessary care.” By not funding sex change operations through the NDAA, Republicans are “hurt[ing] our military readiness” and preventing transgender-identifying service members from focusing on their missions, according to Allred and his allies.
Military health insurance already covers hormone therapy and psychological counseling for transgender service members.
“Day after day Colin Allred shows Texans who he really is,” a Cruz campaign spokesperson told the DCNF. “He is a radical who will destroy Texas and America. His record on transgender issues puts our children and families at risk. The women and children of Texas simply cannot afford to have him as the next United States Senator representing Texas.” (RELATED: Democrat Challenging Ted Cruz Promises To Be Tough On Border — But He Previously Called ICE ‘Un-American’)
Allred also took issue with provisions in the NDAA that ban the flying of the pride flag, prohibit drag shows from being held at military installations and a provision he alleges creates a “transgender book ban.”
“If service members are concerned for their health care, their right to exist or the well being of their children and loved ones, they cannot focus on their jobs, thereby weakening military readiness and retention rates,” the letter reads. “Ensuring our ranks reflect the diversity of the American people is essential to the morale and cohesion of our Armed Forces and to our national security.”
The race between Cruz and Allred currently favors the Republican, but by a relatively narrow margin.
Real Clear Polling had Cruz beating Allred by five points as of Sept. 28 based on an average of polls. One poll conducted by Morning Consult between Sept. 9 and Sept. 18 has Allred leading Cruz by one point, within the survey’s margin of error, Newsweek reported.
With the race remaining close, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee recently announced a multi-million dollar campaign targeting Republican incumbents in Texas, Florida and Nebraska.
“Senate Democrats are expanding the map and going on offense,” DSCC Chair Gary Peters said in a press release Thursday. “All cycle long the DSCC has been preparing to take advantage of Sens. Cruz and Scott’s damaged standings in their states — and now our efforts in Texas and Florida are accelerating.”
Many of Allred’s donors harbor anti-police and anti-Israel views.
The Allred campaign did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.
