[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 147 (Friday, September 20, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5545]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1145
               PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION IN THE MILITARY

  (Ms. JACOBS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. JACOBS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind this body of the 
incredible damage inflicted by the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.
  For 17 years, it was the official Federal policy to discriminate 
against LGBTQ+ servicemembers and prevent them from living 
authentically or risk being discharged.
  This policy wasn't only hateful and isolating, it weakened our 
military and failed to live up to our values.
  Today marks 13 years since we repealed this hateful policy, and we 
won't go back. We won't go back to Don't Ask, Don't Tell or the 
possibility of a trans service ban with the stroke of a pen or a tweet.
  Countless queer people serve our country bravely, they serve our 
country proudly, they serve our country honorably, and they should 
serve our country authentically, too.
  That is why we need to pass my Ensuring Military Readiness Not 
Discrimination Act to prohibit discrimination in the military and 
protect trans servicemembers.
  Our servicemembers sacrifice so much for us. They shouldn't have to 
sacrifice who they are.

                          ____________________