Vicky Hartzler: “First of all, I would say, being from Missouri, I would think that Harry Truman would be shocked that this would try to…”

“First of all, I would say, being from Missouri, I would think that Harry Truman would be shocked that this would try to be named after him. But anyway, this amendment eliminates all enlistment requirements except for the gender-neutral occupational standards. It says, ``Any qualifications established or applied for eligibility for service in an armed force shall take into account only the ability of an individual to meet gender-neutral occupational standards for military service,'' and it goes on. Intended or not, I am concerned that this means that an individual with a chronic illness, with zero ability to deploy, could apply for and join the military as long as the candidate meets the gender-neutral occupational standards. This is not how the military recruits and retains the best military fighting force. The military prides itself on high medical and physical standards. Currently, if you meet both standards, then you may be granted the honor of serving. The military is under no obligation to accept individuals who do not meet the medical criteria for service. The military's recruitment process doesn't screen for race, religion, color, national origin, or sex. Neither does it screen for gender preference. It seems that the intent of this amendment is to gut the President's recently implemented policy on transgender servicemembers, which, I will remind everyone, allows transgenders to serve.…”