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Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee outlines his legislative priorities in his annual State of the State Address to the General Assembly at 7 p.m.
by MATT GALKA | The National News Desk
TOPICS:
WASHINGTON (TNND) — House Republicans passed legislation aimed at barring transgender women and girls born biological men from participating in sports. The bill was passed mostly along party lines, with only two Democrats joining all Republicans in voting for the measure.
The "Protection of Women and Girls in Sport Act” amends Title IX, prohibiting its application to those born male who transitioned to female.
“It’s absolutely absurd that we have to actually pass a bill that says only women can be in women’s sports but I’m honored to be in the fight," said Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fl., the bill's sponsor.
Transgender rights played a large role in the 2024 election, and the prioritization of the bill, as one of the first passed in the new Congressional term, shows that it continues to be an issue Republicans believe Americans are aligned with them on.
“President Trump ran on this, he ran ads on this, and I think the public has spoken very clearly about where they stand on this," said Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., ahead of the bill's passage.
Some Democrats have also pointed out social issues like trans rights as reasons the party fared poorly in 2024. While debating the bill, a majority of the party tried to label the legislation as unnecessary and predatory against kids who have a hard enough time navigating childhood. Democrats who opposed the bill alleged it would lead to invasions of privacy for girls in school.
“Republicans creepy, weird obsession with your kids private parts means that they’re now passing bills to let them inspect what’s in your kids pants," said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.
CDC data has about 3% of high schoolers identifying as transgender, but multiple polls show a majority of Americans support restrictions on competing in school athletics, and around half of the country has passed laws at the state level restricting competition.
“My own daughters competed in sports as they were growing up and I can only imagine the anger I’d feel as a Dad if they had their trophies stolen from them," said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., following the bill's passage.
Democrats also tried to highlight the low number of transgender students competing in athletics as they voiced their opposition.
“10 athletes out of 500,000 athletes. So that’s the scope of what we’re dealing with, so the House Republican conference would choose to have this conversation rather than something that is more expansive that truly helps lower cost or makes people’s lives better," said Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., while talking about the number of transgender athletes competing at the collegiate level.
The House had previously passed the bill in 2023, with the Democratic Senate opting not to take it up. Senate Republicans can bring the bill up for a vote this time, but it remains to be seen if any Democrats would join them to get the 60 votes needed in the chamber. Republicans have a 53-47 majority.
