; Whereas all five military Chiefs of Staff have testified publicly that the existing policy has had no adverse effect on military readiness; Whereas, on August 1, 2017, fifty-six retired generals and admirals released a statement affirming, This proposed ban, if implemented, would cause significant disruptions, deprive the military of mission-critical talent, and compromise the integrity of transgender troops who would be forced to live a lie, as well as non-transgender peers who would be forced to choose between reporting their comrades or disobeying policy ; Whereas at least 18 nations allow transgender people to serve openly and effectively in their armed forces; Whereas transgender members of the Armed Forces have fought in defense of our freedoms with honor and distinction since our Nation’s founding and have been bestowed with such commendations and awards as the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for their courage and sacrifices; Whereas President Trump’s ban on transgender members of the Armed Forces targets and stigmatizes a whole class of people; and Whereas President Trump’s ban on transgender members of the Armed Forces would affect all transgender members of the Armed Forces and force them to serve under a policy that stigmatizes and devalues their contributions to our Nation’s defense: Now, therefore, be it