New York, NY (September 13, 2017) — Following is a statement by IAVA Executive Director Allison Jaslow on the bipartisan amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would prevent the Department of Defense from kicking out servicemembers on the basis of gender identity:

“We applaud the leadership of Senators Collins and Gillibrand on behalf all troops brave enough to serve in wartime.  The men and women wearing the uniform that 99% of Americans are unwilling to wear deserve nothing less than our full support, regardless of their gender identity. 

“Republicans and Democrats alike understand the importance of all troops having confidence that their elected leaders have their backs.  We applaud those Senators who honorably spoke up in support of the right for any qualified American to serve their country, and we expect their votes to reflect their words.”