When the U.S. House of Representatives was considering the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act in July, the American Civil Liberties Union -- a liberal organization -- sent a letter to members of the House. It expressed their opposition to a number of amendments being considered for the act.
What were the three amendments that topped the ACLU's list of those that should be stopped?
Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas sponsored the first. It, according to its official summary, would "prohibit the Secretary of Defense from paying for or reimbursing expenses relating to abortion services."
Republican Rep. Matthew Rosendale of Montana sponsored the second. It would "prohibit TRICARE from covering and the Department of Defense from furnishing sex reassignment surgeries and gender hormone treatments for transgender individuals."
Republican Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina sponsored the third. It would "prohibit provision of gender transition procedures, including surgery or medication, through the Exceptional Family Member Program."
"Since 1966," explains a 2021 Congressional Research Service report, "civilian care for millions of military retirees, as well as dependents of active duty military personnel and retirees, has been provided through a program still known in law as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), more commonly known as TRICARE."
"Active duty servicemembers are required to use TRICARE Prime," says........