Jerry Nadler: “The REINS Act would already frustrate the point of government by grinding the critical actions of our agencies to a…”

“The REINS Act would already frustrate the point of government by grinding the critical actions of our agencies to a halt. Why, Mr. Roy--and I presume the majority generally--feels the need to also include efforts to protect some of the most vulnerable among us is beyond me. America has a long history of discrimination, and efforts to include these historically marginalized groups should be celebrated and supported, not subjected to further scrutiny by Congress just because the majority disagrees with supporting these individuals. May I remind you that we represent all the people, and amendments like this undermine our service to our constituents. I would ask, why should we tell hospitals not to perform certain medical procedures? If gender-affirming surgery is necessary for the patient and the doctor says it is, why shouldn't the VA hospital provide such surgery? We do not, I presume, want to say it is because we want to discriminate against transgender people, or we want to discriminate against gay or lesbian people. I hope that is not what we are saying, but that is what this amendment seems to do. I oppose this amendment because it goes against our notions of equality and our notions of fairness. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.”