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If the last few decades have made one thing perfectly clear, it’s that the federal government’s role has become way too bloated. Needless to say, this reality has some serious repercussions for the freedom of every American, as the federal government continues to encroach on what is traditionally the role of local communities.

Sadly, this bloated federal government also has an impact on your wallet. While Americans are forced to pay federal, state, and local taxes, it’s the federal government that is the most wasteful. Sure, money for funding necessities like defense is well spent, but some of your tax dollars are going programs you might not be aware of.

If you’re unsure just how wasteful the federal government is, look no further than the most recent project it’s funding. With the debt topping $20 trillion, the National Institute of Health is throwing money away on studying “transgender issues.”

From the Daily Caller:

The National Institute Of Health (NIH) announced that it will fund studies on transgender issues that will cost $200,000 each.

The announcement comes after NIH received a $2 billion spending increase from the Senate. Applications for the transgender studies grants open Oct. 5, with the purpose of conducting “exploratory or developmental research on the health of transgender and gender nonconforming people,” according to the grant announcement. The study will include young people and adults who are questioning their gender identity, as well as individuals who have already transitioned from one gender to the other.

The study will seek to understand the physiological consequences for those that don’t conform to gender norms:

The research will address the “medical, sociological, psychological and structural causes and consequences of transgender and gender nonconforming identities” and investigate “social determinants of health in these populations are needed, including understanding the impact of stigma, the high impact of HIV, minority stress, education, employment, violence, homelessness, and incarceration,” according to the announcement.

Meanwhile, 20 veterans commit suicide every day, while thousands every year struggle with PTSD. Moreover, thousands of veterans are saddled by obscene wait times at VA facilities, often to receive sub-par care. For years, Washington has been unable to fix the system. Yet, the federal government thinks this is a good use for your tax dollars?

Clearly, the bloated federal government is out of control. With President Trump getting ready to push for tax reform, many will cry that such tax cuts will deprive the government of revenue. However, if depriving the federal government of revenue is what it takes to curb such needless spending, we should all be willing to sign up.

[Note: This post was written by Michael Lee. Follow him on Twitter @UAMichaelLee]