The amendments add new language that mirrors the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funding for abortion, except in the cases of rape, incest, and the life of the mother. Lawmakers said this is intended to prevent most abortions in VA facilities and enforce already-existing laws.
Carter’s proposals would also prevent DOD funds from being used to support hormone therapy and sex-change surgeries through Veterans Affairs facilities. The VA does not provide funds for transgender surgeries, but it does provide hormone therapy, which would be halted through this bill.
Another amendment would add language to explicitly prohibit religious discrimination related to grant awards and contracting decisions.
“The language added in this provision would give confidence to the American people that individuals whose deeply held religious views support marriage as between one man and one woman would not preclude this person from receiving fair treatment under the law,” Rep. Michael Guest, R-Mississippi, said.
The proposed rules would also add restrictions on what flags can be flown over Veterans Affairs buildings. It would allow the United States flag; flags of the state, territory, or Indian tribal government; department flags; armed forces flags; and POW/MIA flags.
Although the flag rule did not explicitly ban homosexual pride flags, VA facilities would not be allowed to fly such flags under the amendments. Some lawmakers, including Guest, indicated that political messaging through flags was the motivation for the amendment.
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