Democratic Texas Rep. Colin Allred, who is running to unseat Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in November, implored the House Armed Services Committee on Friday to fund transgender surgeries for members of the military, according to a letter obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation.

Allred, joined by four other Democratic House members, argued in the letter that provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) prohibiting military funds from paying for transgender surgeries functionally barred service members from accessing “medically necessary care.” By not funding sex change operations through the NDAA, Republicans are “hurt[ing] our military readiness” and preventing transgender-identifying service members from focusing on their missions, according to Allred and his allies.

Military health insurance already covers hormone therapy and psychological counseling for transgender service members.

“Day after day Colin Allred shows Texans who he really is,” a Cruz campaign spokesperson told the DCNF. “He is a radical who will destroy Texas and America. His record on transgender issues puts our children and families at risk. The women and children of Texas simply cannot afford to have him as the next United States Senator representing Texas.”