Senator Josh Hawley introduced an amendment aimed at prohibiting the use of federal tax dollars for transgender surgeries and treatments involving minor children, raising concerns about how Medicaid and Medicare funds are being used.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Hawley framed the proposal as a direct question about federal spending priorities.
“President, this amendment poses a simple and direct question,” he said.
Hawley continued, “should we use federal tax dollars to pay for transgender surgeries and treatments for minor children?”
Hawley argued that the issue extends beyond general funding and into the allocation of resources from programs intended for vulnerable populations.
“More specifically, should we divert money from Medicaid, a program that is dedicated to the most needy among us,” he said.
He added that those funds are being redirected “to pay for risky, dangerous, irreversible, transgender drugs and surgeries for minor children.”
According to Hawley, the practice has been ongoing for years.
“Because Madam President, that’s what’s been happening for years,” he said.
He pointed to organizations that receive federal funding through healthcare programs.
“Outfits like Planned Parenthood have gotten billions of dollars from Medicaid and Medicare,” Hawley said.
He described those funds as originating from programs intended to serve specific groups.
“Billions of dollars taken from the elderly, from the poor, from the needy, paid out to them,” Hawley said.
He added that those funds can then be used for “transgender surgeries, treatments, drugs for minor children.”
Hawley also referenced how such services are presented publicly.
“They proudly advertise it on their websites,” he said.
He cited a study examining federal funding over a defined period.
“One recent study found that in three years alone, Planned Parenthood got a billion and a half dollars from Medicaid and Medicare,” Hawley said.
He stated that those funds were directed toward procedures involving minors.
“Money to be used on these risky surgeries and procedures for our children,” Hawley said.
He characterized the situation as a misuse of federal resources.
“This is wrong, Madam Chairman,” Hawley said. He added, “this is a terrible misuse of federal funds.”
Hawley concluded by calling for immediate legislative action. “And we should put a stop to it. Today. I ask for a yes vote.”
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