The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) is applauding a Dec. 18 Senate vote passing the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes several noteworthy wins for Southern Baptists.
Among these wins is the cessation of government funding for “gender transitions” for children of service members.
This is the first time federal law has limited taxpayer-funded “gender transitions” in any capacity.
Hannah Daniel, ERLC public policy director, praised the passing of the authorization for the inclusion of several Southern Baptist priorities.
“After months of advocacy on these issues, the ERLC is pleased to see this year’s National Defense Authorization Act include some significant victories for life and God’s design for gender.”
“For the first time ever in federal law, there is a codification against the use of taxpayer funding for ‘gender transition’ interventions. Additionally, lawmakers rejected attempts to mandate the participation of women in the selective service and dramatically expand taxpayer funding for the unregulated IVF industry. These consequential victories lay an important foundation for additional progress to be made in the new Congress and with the new administration.”
