Congressman Adam Smith vows reversal of transgender military policy, rallies in Seattle
Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) was among those at a rally in Seattle outraged over the Department of Defense's new policy that bars transgender individuals from enlisting in the military.
"It's bigotry and discrimination to not let them serve in the military," Rep. Smith said.
Smith, who is the chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, said the policy puts the public at risk in challenging the country's national security.
"From a very practical standpoint, the military is not meeting its recruitment goals right now," he said. "If we have able bodies, people who are able to serve, to discriminate against them is just stupid. It is a waste of human resources and undermines the safety of this country."
In 2018, the U.S. Army missed its recruiting goal by 6,500 soldiers.
Smith said he plans to begin the process of reversing the policy as part of an upcoming House defense bill.
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