House Republicans vote to bar transgender athletes from women’s sports
House Republicans voted Thursday to ban transgender female athletes from taking part in girls’ and women’s sports by amending Title IX protections to only apply to biologically female athletes.
The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act passed 219-203, with no Democrats supporting the measure.
Ten Democrats and three Republicans did not cast votes.
House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) said before the vote that she expected the “historic legislation” would “protect women and girls in sports,” calling out the “unfairness” of permitting biologically male athletes to compete against women.
The issue has gained visibility in recent years after transgender athletes won a number of high-profile women’s events.
Lia Thomas, a University of Pennsylvania swimmer, left the school’s men’s team after three years to transition — and went on to win the 2022 women’s 500-yard NCAA title.
Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, called the legislation “a monumental win for women and girls across our country” — and criticized the Biden administration for “doubling down” on its recent Title IX proposal that would allow transgender athletes to compete alongside girls and women in prep and college sports.
“Harm is being done to female athletes, and the American people know this is wrong,” Foxx said. “The strides of women in sports should never be sacrificed to appease the radical woke mobs on the left.”
Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) introduced the bill, which amends the Education Amendments of 1972 to define sex solely based on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.
“Democrats have regressed so far backwards they are willing to erase the rights that women have fought decades to obtain, all to elevate biological males to the top of women’s podiums. The integrity of women’s sports must be protected,” he told Reuters Wednesday.
The bill will revoke federal funding for women’s athletic programs that allow transgender athletes to compete.
It prevents males from joining athletic programs or activities meant for girls and women but allows them to train as long as it doesn’t deprive female athletes of any opportunities.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) offered an amendment to the bill that would also require studies of the psychological effects on girls of permitting biological males to compete against them. It was approved 216-205 shortly before the final House vote.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is not expected to bring up a companion bill that was introduced by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.).
The White House said on Monday that Biden would veto the bill if it came to his desk.
“Discrimination has no place in our nation’s schools or on our playing fields,” the administration said in a statement. “Instead of addressing the pressing issues that families and students face today—such as raising teacher pay, keeping guns out of schools, addressing the mental health crisis our youth face, and helping students learn and recover academically from unprecedented disruptions—Congressional Republicans have instead chosen to prioritize policies that discriminate against children.”
Biden’s Department of Education has pitched tweaks to Title IX that would prohibit universities and schools from unilaterally banning transgender athletes from competing on teams that match their gender identity.
The proposal allows for some discretion if schools wish to restrict transgender athletes’ participation in sports for the sake of fairness, particularly at the high school and college level.
