House GOP votes to ban transgender athletes from women’s sports
House Republicans voted Thursday to outlaw transgender female athletes from taking part in girls’ and women’s sports by amending Title IX protections to only include biologically female athletes.
The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act passed 219-203, with no Democrats supporting the measure.
GOP conference chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) said before the vote 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.
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 in March, which amends the Education Amendments of 1972 to define sex solely based on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.
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.