The “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act” was approved by the House on Tuesday, a Republican-backed legislation that restricts transgender girls and women from participating in school sports teams that align with their gender identity. This action comes after the party emphasized the issue during the 2024 campaign.
The legislation aims to modify Title IX, a federal law that prevents sex discrimination in schools. It proposes to define an individual’s “sex” based on their reproductive biology and genetics at birth. Schools that permit “an individual whose sex is male to participate in an athletic program or activity that is intended for women or girls” could face the loss of federal funding.
The bill received 218 votes in favor, 206 against, and one present in the House. Two Democrats joined all Republicans in backing the bill, with one Democrat voting present.
Florida’s Republican Rep. Greg Steube, who proposed the bill, stated during the floor debate prior to the vote that a significant majority of Americans are of the belief that men should not participate in women’s sports and common sense should prevail.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that approximately 3% of high school students identify as transgender. Recent polls have shown a lack of support for transgender athletes being part of sports teams that align with their gender identity, and about half of the states restrict the participation of transgender athletes.
The bill was approved by House Republicans in 2023 without any Democratic backing. However, it was not picked up by the then Democrat-controlled Senate. Republicans in the House promised to bring the issue to the forefront this year after GOP campaigns spent substantial amounts on ads last year portraying the issue as a threat to women and girls in sports. The Senate, now under Republican control, has reintroduced a similar measure.
Republicans argue that transgender athletes have biological advantages that are unfair and unsafe for other girls and women during the floor debate. Conversely, Democrats who oppose the bill believe it paves the way for intrusive genital examinations of girls.
Moderate Democrats have expressed concerns about the issue, particularly after the Democrats’ 2024 election losses. One such Democrat is Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, who voted against the ban in 2023 but has since questioned his party’s stance on transgender rights.
Moulton shared his concerns with the New York Times, stating that Democrats spend too much time ensuring they don’t offend anyone, rather than honestly addressing the challenges many Americans are facing. He voiced his worries about the prospect of his two daughters potentially competing against male or formerly male athletes.
