Bill · H.R. 8175· House(119-HR-8175)
To amend title 10, United States Code, and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994, to codify and clarify gender neutral standards for members of certain Armed Forces, and for other purposes.
- Introduced
- 4/2/2026
- Last activity
- 4/2/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Sponsored by
- Chrissy Houlahan
- Cosponsors
- - 37 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
H.R. 8175 aims to establish and clarify gender-neutral standards for members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force. The bill prohibits excluding members from assignments, career fields, or occupational specialties based on gender. It requires the Secretary of Defense to provide annual reports on occupational standard changes and member separations. Additionally, the bill modernizes occupational performance standards to be based on a scientifically rigorous process. It also mandates the submission of a review regarding the operational effectiveness of Army and Marine Corps ground combat units.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would women be better off under this?+10
Removes gender-based barriers to military assignments and career fields, significantly increasing opportunity.
Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated?+10
Explicitly prohibits the exclusion of military members from any assignment or career field based on gender.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+7
Mandates annual reports to Congress on occupational standard changes and involuntary separations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Equal Opportunity for Assignments: Members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force cannot be kept out of a career field, occupational specialty, or assignment because of their gender. (Section 1(a)(1))
-
Scientifically Based Standards: Occupational performance standards must be determined using a "scientifically rigorous process" that considers technical, tactical, cognitive, and physical abilities. (Section 1(b)(1)(A)(ii-iii))
-
Informed Health Standards: Any prescribed standards must be based on input from Department of Defense researchers and health care providers. (Section 1(b)(1)(A)(iii))
-
Increased Accountability: The Secretary of Defense must report annually on the number of members involuntarily separated or reclassified, providing the specific reasons for these actions. (Section 1(a)(1)(b)(2-3))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens for individuals are explicitly listed in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Women+10Good For L G B T Q Community+5Good For Young Adults+5Good For Men+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Gender Equality+10Improves L G B T Q Rights+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+7
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+2
- 5/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/6/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/2/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 34 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Wesley BellDemocrat · Missouri
Kathy CastorDemocrat · Florida
Joe CourtneyDemocrat · Connecticut
Salud CarbajalDemocrat · California
Jason CrowDemocrat · Colorado
Gilbert CisnerosDemocrat · California
Herbert ConawayDemocrat · New Jersey
Christopher DeluzioDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Madeleine DeanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Veronica EscobarDemocrat · Texas
Sarah ElfrethDemocrat · Maryland
Lois FrankelDemocrat · Florida
John GaramendiDemocrat · California
Sylvia GarciaDemocrat · Texas
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Maggie GoodlanderDemocrat · New Hampshire
Sara JacobsDemocrat · California
William KeatingDemocrat · Massachusetts
Ro KhannaDemocrat · California
Timothy KennedyDemocrat · New York
Rick LarsenDemocrat · Washington
Ted LieuDemocrat · California
George LatimerDemocrat · New York
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Christian MenefeeDemocrat · Texas
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Nancy PelosiDemocrat · California
Mike QuigleyDemocrat · Illinois
Patrick RyanDemocrat · New York
Adam SmithDemocrat · Washington
Marilyn StricklandDemocrat · Washington
Eric SorensenDemocrat · Illinois
Mike ThompsonDemocrat · California
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii
Derek TranDemocrat · California
Gabe VasquezDemocrat · New Mexico
George WhitesidesDemocrat · California