Senator Markey Condemns Proposed Trump Admin. Rules Restricting Access to Gender-Affirming Care

Markey: "Youth across the country will suffer because of Trump and RFK, Jr."

Washington, D.C. (December 18, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), top Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Primary Health and Retirement Security Subcommittee, released the following statement after the Department of Health and Human Services announced cruel new actions restricting access to essential and life-saving gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. While families across the country are struggling with rising costs, President Trump and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. are more focused on hate-fueled attacks on transgender youth and their families to score political points. In 2023, Senator Markey introduced the Transgender Bill of Rights, a landmark resolution to recognize the federal government's duty in protecting and codifying the rights of transgender and nonbinary people, as well as to ensure trans people have access to medical care, shelter, safety, and economic security.

"Today, the Trump administration unleashed yet another attack on transgender Americans' freedom and health. Since Day One, Trump has been relentless in his efforts to deny the existence and needs of transgender Americans. Now, Trump and RFK, Jr. are continuing their crusade against the trans community by making it even harder to access life-saving care. Today's proposed regulations pose a devastating threat to the health and safety of transgender youth. While this administration claims to be protecting children, the reality is that youth across the country will suffer because of Trump and RFK, Jr.

"Let's make no mistake: The Trump administration's actions are not based in any medical or scientific evidence. They are entirely fueled by hate and based in this administration's obsession with controlling what people do with their own bodies. Just like all other families, trans people and their families deserve the right and autonomy to make deeply personal and private decisions about their own health.

"We cannot let this administration's cruel actions go unchecked. I lead the Trans Bill of Rights because it is our moral obligation to ensure that trans people are afforded the same rights as all Americans. Trans people deserve to experience the same freedom, joy, and opportunity afforded to every other American. I will continue to fight for the rights of transgender Americans to exist and access the care they need, because transgender rights are human rights."

In November, Senator Markey introduced the Transgender Health Care Access Act to bolster delivery of gender-affirming care. Also in November, he joined colleagues in introducing a resolution commemorating the Transgender Day of Remembrance. In June, Senator Markey slammed the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to uphold Tennessee's law banning gender-affirming care for trans youth in United States v. Skrmetti. He previously led 162 of his colleagues in submitting an amicus brief in United States v. Skrmetti urging the Court to strike down Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

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