December 31, 2024
Delaware Democratic Party PRIDE Caucus
Statement on the Passage of National Defense Authorization Act into Law
Over the past couple of weeks, the House and the Senate passed, and President Biden has signed into law, the National Defense Authorization Act, a bill intended to fund national protection. Instead, it includes harm: a ban on TriCare covering gender-affirming care for the children of our troops.
Eighty-one Democrats in the House and 37 Democrats in the Senate voted to pass the NDAA with this restriction.
Notably, the PRIDE Caucus appreciates that Delaware’s Senator-Elect Lisa Blunt Rochester was amongst the Democrats that stood up and voted against this harmful bill being passed.
While we recognize the National Defense Authorization Act’s importance for national security, including provisions that harm our troops' families will have a long-term effect on our ability to recruit and maintain the best-armed services worldwide.
The vote to authorize this bill at the expense of transgender youth and their families has been noted, and the PRIDE Caucus will not forget going forward.
Silence is not an option. The LGBTQIA+ community needs the support of Democrats more than ever, and the Delaware Democratic Party PRIDE Caucus will continue to advocate for equality and demand accountability from those entrusted with representing our values.
We call on the Democrats in office at both the State and Federal levels to reaffirm their commitment to equality, and to fight for the rights of all Americans going forward.
The Executive Board
Delaware Democratic Party PRIDE Caucus