NWLC Responds to House Passing NDAA with Anti-LGBTQI+ and Anti-DEI Provisions

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House of Representatives passed the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes harmful amendments targeting LGBTQI+ service members and their families, as well as provisions rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the military.

In response, Gaylynn Burroughs, vice president of education and workplace justice at the National Women’s Law Center, issued the following statement: 

“We condemn these cruel and baseless attacks on service members and their loved ones. House Republicans have inserted their ideological agenda into what should be a bipartisan process to support our military and their families. The inclusion of provisions that deny health care to military members and their families, exacerbate gender-based scrutiny of students at service academies, restrict data collection that assesses the experience of service members, and police bathroom access on military installations, combined with efforts to eliminate DEI initiatives, has no place in legislation that is supposed to support our military. Our military is strongest when every service member, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, or background, can serve with dignity, safety, and respect. Congress must reject these measures in conference committee and ensure that service members and their loved ones are protected and valued.”