Congressman John Fleming said Friday that President Barack Obama's order to allow transgender men and women to serve openly in America's military is "radical experimentation"

Earlier this week, the White House, via  Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced sweeping changes to military policy, including the payment for gender transition surgery for those currently serving.

In a statement, Fleming said,:

“The Pentagon is continuing its radical experimentation with our men and women in uniform, pushing forward a social engineering venture without thought to the real world impact this policy change will have on military readiness. Instead of focusing on strengthening the military and ensuring the defense of our nation against foreign threats and even domestic terrorism, DOD is laser focused on a politically charged agenda. 

“This Administration is more concerned with expeditiously modifying DOD transgender policy than with the defense of our nation. It’s time, Mr. President, that we got our priorities in order.” 

Congressman Fleming, from Minden, is Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

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