H.R. 1543

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend title 10, United States Code, to prohibit discrimination in the Armed Forces.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · February 24, 2025 · Sponsor: Ms. Strickland · Committee: Committee on Armed Services

Table of contents

• H.R. 1543
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Findings
  • SEC. 3. Nondiscrimination in the Armed Forces

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the or the .

SEC. 2. Findings

• Congress finds the following:
  • Women, Black, Native American, and LGBTQIA+ Americans have served in the Armed Forces since the Revolutionary War.
  • In 1948, 16 years before the enactment of the Civil Rights Act (; 78 Stat. 241), which desegrated civilian spaces, President Truman issued Executive Order 9981, which allowed Black members of the Armed Forces to serve side-by-side with white members. Public Law 88–352
  • In 1948, President Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act (; 62 Stat. 356) into law, officially allowing women to serve as full, permanent members of each Armed Force. Public Law 80–625
  • In 1967, President Johnson signed into law , which authorized the promotion of women to the ranks of general and flag officers. Public Law 90–130
  • In 1972, women were allowed to command units that included men.
  • In 1982, the Department of Defense Instruction 1332.14, , banned homosexual individuals from serving in the Armed Forces. Enlisted Administrative Separations
  • In 1993, President Clinton signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 (), which enacted section 654 of title 10, United States Code, , commonly known as . Policy concerning homosexuality in the armed forces Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Public Law 103–16
  • In 2011, President Obama signed into law the , allowing homosexual members to openly serve in the Armed Forces. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010
  • In 2015, the last remaining policy restrictions on women serving in direct combat roles were removed.
  • In 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 13988, which rescinded the policy that prohibited transgender individuals from serving in the Armed Forces.
  • In 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14183, falsely stating that people who are transgender and that their identity cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one’s personal life.
  • It should be the policy of the United States that every member of the Armed Forces has the right to serve, advance, and be evaluated based on only individual merit, fitness, capability, and performance, in an environment free of discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

SEC. 3. Nondiscrimination in the Armed Forces

• of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the following new section: Chapter 49; section 974
  • (a) Prohibition
    • Subject to paragraph (2), discrimination within the Department of Defense against an individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation, is prohibited.
    • A qualification established or applied regarding eligibility for service in an armed force shall take into account only the ability of an individual to meet—
      • general occupational standards for military service; and
      • the particular military occupational specialty.
  • (b) Definitions
    • In this section:
      • The term means the gender-related identity, appearance, mannerisms, or other gender-related characteristics of an individual, regardless of the individual’s designated sex at birth. gender identity
      • The term includes— sex
      • The term includes— sex stereotype