A recent congressional hearing revealed that over $241 million in taxpayer money has been allocated to research involving transgender surgeries and treatments on animals, raising concerns from lawmakers like Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.). Crane questioned the justification for these expenditures, deeming them "insane."

During a House Oversight Committee hearing on taxpayer-funded animal research, Justin Goodman of the White Coat Waste Project (WCW) testified that the government has spent millions on "transgender animal testing." Goodman indicated this figure is likely a conservative estimate. He described experiments where animals like mice, rats, and monkeys undergo surgical procedures and hormone treatments to simulate gender transitions, with subsequent observation of the biological and psychological effects. One example cited was a $1.1 million grant to study the potential for overdose on a date-rape drug in female rats given testosterone to mimic transgender male humans.

Rep. Crane criticized the spending, connecting it to former NIAID director Dr. Anthony Fauci, whom he accused of misleading the public on various COVID-19 related matters and authorizing over $200 million for this type of research. He advocated for more transparent single-subject spending bills to enable better control over such allocations. Goodman added that accessing information about these studies is challenging due to the complexity of federal spending databases, which he believes lack transparency by design. WCW estimates over $20 billion has been spent on ineffective animal research overall.

Goodman's testimony indicated that Dr. Fauci funded approximately 95% of these transgender animal experiments, based on WCW analysis. A separate WCW study revealed $10 million spent in 2024 alone on creating transgender animals. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) also condemned the practice, specifically referencing the study involving female rats and date-rape drugs. She criticized the Biden administration for permitting taxpayer funding of these procedures.

Goodman argued that animal testing is often inaccurate, expensive, and ineffective in predicting human health outcomes. He also pointed out that the Biden administration reversed a Trump administration initiative to phase out animal testing.