Top defense committee Democrats are pressing Defense Secretary James Mattis James Norman MattisBiden courts veterans amid fallout from Trump military controversies Trump says he wanted to take out Syria's Assad but Mattis opposed it Gary Cohn: 'I haven't made up my mind' on vote for president in November MORE to reveal who sat on a panel of experts that helped draft the Pentagon’s controversial transgender policy.

“We were surprised and disappointed by the recommendations contained in that memorandum. In our view, these recommendations contradict previous findings from the Department of Defense (DOD) and the professional medical community,” Sen. Jack Reed John (Jack) Francis ReedWhen 'Buy American' and common sense collide Hillicon Valley: Russia 'amplifying' concerns around mail-in voting to undermine election | Facebook and Twitter take steps to limit Trump remarks on voting | Facebook to block political ads ahead of election Top Democrats press Trump to sanction Russian individuals over 2020 election interference efforts MORE (R.I.) and Rep. Adam Smith David (Adam) Adam SmithWhen 'Buy American' and common sense collide Overnight Defense: Marine Corps brushes off criticism of Marines' appearance in GOP convention video | US troops injured in collision with Russian vehicle in Syria | Dems ask for probe of Vindman retaliation allegations Democrats press Pentagon watchdog to probe allegations of retaliation against Vindman brothers MORE (Wash.), the ranking members of the Senate and House Armed Services committees, respectively, wrote in a letter.

Late last month, the Pentagon released a three-page memo and 44-page report Mattis submitted to President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE outlining his recommendations on how to handle transgender troops.

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Drafted by an unnamed panel of experts of senior uniformed and civilian Defense Department leaders, the memo makes recommendations that would prevent the enlistment of transgender people diagnosed with gender dysphoria or those who have already undergone or begun a gender transition.

Troops already diagnosed with gender dysphoria could stay in the military if they do not seek treatment, such as hormone therapy or gender reassignment surgery.

The accompanying report argues that people diagnosed with gender dysphoria suffer from high rates of suicide, anxiety, depression and substance abuse and that treatment such as hormone therapy and surgery has not proven effective.

Trump then signed his own memo banning most transgender people from serving in the military “except under certain limited circumstances."

The Democrats “feel it imperative that we explore the factual bases behind your recommendations,” as the memo gives Mattis the power to implement appropriate policies concerning military service by transgender individuals. The letter was also signed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Suburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits MORE (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Jackie Speier Karen (Jackie) Lorraine Jacqueline SpeierOvernight Defense: House to vote on military justice bill spurred by Vanessa Guillén death | Biden courts veterans after Trump's military controversies House to vote on 'I Am Vanessa Guillén' bill Overnight Defense: Trump's battle with Pentagon poses risks in November | Lawmakers launch Fort Hood probe | Military members can't opt out of tax deferral MORE (D-Calif.).

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“Although you state that the panel received input from civilian medical professionals, the recommendations appear to us to be inconsistent with what we have heard from the civilian medical community,” the lawmakers write.

“Numerous recognized experts, former military officials and Surgeons General, and organizations representing medical professionals have released statements criticizing the Report’s recommendations and the underlying scientific basis for these recommendations."

The report’s analysis of medical research has been harshly criticized as misrepresenting the findings or leaving out important context. The American Medical Association, the country’s largest medical organization, told Mattis in a letter that his recommendations “mischaracterized and rejected” evidence on treatment for gender dysphoria.

The lawmakers ask Mattis to name who was on the expert panel, who they consulted with and whether they consulted with any medical professionals with expertise in gender dysphoria.

The Democrats also want examples of substantial risks associated with the enlisting and retention of transgender troops.

The Pentagon’s transgender policy is currently on hold after courts issued preliminary injunctions that require the department to continue allowing open-service while several lawsuits work their way through the court system.