Readiness Over Wokeness Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3406

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-05-14: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Last Updated

2025-06-11T14:59:24Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Readiness Over Wokeness Act" (H.R. 3406) aims to restrict military service by barring individuals with gender dysphoria—a condition where a person's gender identity differs from their assigned sex at birth—from enlisting or continuing to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. It seeks to prioritize military readiness by prohibiting service based on diagnoses, symptoms, or related medical treatments.

Key Provisions

• Service Prohibition: Individuals are ineligible to serve if they:
• Have a current diagnosis, history, or symptoms of gender dysphoria.
• Have received gender-affirming care, such as cross-sex hormone therapy or surgeries (e.g., sex reassignment or genital reconstruction) for treating gender dysphoria or pursuing a sex transition.
• Administrative Discharge: The relevant Secretary (e.g., of the Army, Navy) must discharge any current service member who falls under the prohibition. Discharged members are exempt from:
• Reimbursing the military for educational or other benefits (if no other separation reason exists).
• Fulfilling remaining service obligations.
• Security Clearance Review: For discharged members previously eligible for classified information access:
• The Secretary of Defense must reinvestigate and re-evaluate their eligibility.
• If the individual is not in a role requiring such access post-discharge or declines the review, their eligibility is revoked.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends Chapter 49 of Title 10 of the U.S. Code (which covers advisory personnel and miscellaneous provisions for the armed forces) by adding a new Section 975. It introduces a categorical ban on service for those with gender dysphoria or related treatments, overriding prior policies that allowed transgender individuals to serve under certain medical conditions (e.g., post-2021 Department of Defense guidelines permitting service after stable hormone therapy). It also adds exceptions to reimbursement and obligation rules for discharges under this provision, which were not previously specified for this scenario.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Defense (DoD) and military branches will need to implement screening, discharge processes, and security reviews, potentially increasing administrative workload and costs for medical evaluations and personnel management.
• On Citizens: Transgender individuals or those with gender dysphoria may face barriers to military enlistment or involuntary discharge, affecting career opportunities, benefits, and veteran status. It could deter recruitment from diverse groups and lead to loss of experienced personnel.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it may influence perceptions of U.S. military inclusivity in alliances or partnerships focused on diversity and human rights.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Military Personnel: Current service members with gender dysphoria or related medical histories, who risk discharge and loss of benefits.
• Potential Recruits: Transgender or gender-dysphoric individuals seeking to join the Armed Forces.
• Department of Defense and Military Branches: Responsible for enforcement, including screenings, discharges, and security reinvestigations.
• Veterans and Advocacy Groups: Organizations supporting LGBTQ+ rights may challenge the policy, while military readiness advocates may support it.
• Congress and Policymakers: Sponsors (e.g., Rep. Moore of Alabama and co-introducers) represent interests in conservative military policy.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The ban could face challenges under the Fifth Amendment's equal protection clause (via due process), as it treats individuals differently based on medical history or identity, potentially violating anti-discrimination principles. It may conflict with existing federal laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act if gender dysphoria is deemed a disability.
• Constitutional: Raises questions about substantive due process rights to privacy and medical autonomy, especially regarding past treatments. Courts might scrutinize if the policy is rationally related to military readiness.
• Political: Likely to spark partisan debate, with supporters viewing it as enhancing combat effectiveness and opponents seeing it as discriminatory. Referred to the House Armed Services Committee, its passage could signal shifts in military inclusivity policies amid broader cultural discussions on gender identity.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]

Cosponsors (6)

Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Davidson, Warren [R-OH-8], Rep. Greene, Marjorie Taylor [R-GA-14], Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-14: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
• 2025-05-14: Introduced in House
• 2025-05-14: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Readiness Over Wokeness Act — issued 2025-05-14 — PDF (3 pages)