DNC LGBTQ Media Director Lucas Acosta released the following statement after Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Joe Kennedy, and House Democrats overwhelmingly passed a resolution condemning President Trump’s ban on transgender Americans serving in the military:

“Today, House Democrats took a stand against hate by rejecting President Trump’s arbitrary and discriminatory ban on transgender Americans serving in our military. Discrimination is not a national security strategy. In fact, the Department of Defense’s decision to implement this unnecessary policy weakens our military, ignores science, and flagrantly disregards the opinions of military leaders with decades of experience.

“A man who has never served a day in the military, and who finagled his way out of service with a series of deferments for ‘bone spurs’, shouldn’t be deciding on a whim who can and cannot serve their country. Each and every day, transgender service members fight alongside their cisgender peers to defend the safety and security of our country. Rather than attack their identity, we should celebrate their bravery, patriotism, and sacrifice.

“Thank you to Speaker Pelosi, Congressman Joe Kennedy, the Equality Caucus, and House Democrats for standing with the transgender community and leading with our values.”