U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) characterized 218 of her fellow lawmakers as “bigots” following a vote by the Republican-led House to prohibit male athletes who identify as transgender from participating in women’s and girls’ sports at federally funded schools and educational institutions. Two Democrats, Representatives Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez from Texas, voted in favor alongside House Republicans, while another Democrat, Representative Don Davis from North Carolina, opted to vote “present.” The legislation is anticipated to be addressed by the Republican-controlled Senate.
In the previous session of Congress, House Republicans passed the bill with a vote tally of 219 to 203, strictly along party lines. However, the Democrat-controlled Senate did not consider the bill at that time. Currently, Republicans express confidence in the bill’s passage, citing a growing public consensus favoring restrictions on male participation in women’s sports and opposition to gender reassignment surgeries for minors. According to Gallup’s 2023 annual “values and beliefs” poll, 69 percent of Americans support such a ban. A recent survey by NORC at the University of Chicago this summer revealed similar findings, with 66 percent of respondents opposing the participation of men and boys in women’s and girls’ sports.
The proposed legislation would prevent “transgender women and girls” from competing on sports teams that align with their “gender identity.” If enacted, it would modify federal law to stipulate that “sex shall be recognized based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth” concerning Title IX policies in athletics. Title IX was established to prohibit sex-based discrimination in educational programs or institutions receiving federal funding, although President Biden recently sought to amend the law to provide additional protections for transgender and LGBT individuals. This amendment was recently invalidated by a federal judge, who determined that the president had exceeded his authority.
This commitment has been established because it aligns with principles of fairness and common sense. We understand from both scripture and the natural world that men and women are distinct, and that men cannot transition into women. It is unfortunate that such a statement is necessary. This is a biological fact, inherent to our nature, remarked House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) following the bill’s passage on Tuesday. Johnson pointed out that no Democrats supported the bill in the previous session, which may create challenges this time, as Republican support from Democrats will be essential for the bill’s success. He further stated, “The participation of biological men in women’s sports endangers the safety of our girls. It is perilous, unjust, a denial of reality, and fundamentally incorrect. However, today, the House reaffirmed common sense. We voted to mandate that all schools receiving federal funding adhere to the original intent of Title IX, thereby excluding biological men from women’s sports.”
While House Republicans succeeded in gaining the support of two Democrats on this matter, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez emerged as a prominent critic during the House floor discussions. “Here we are today, with Republicans who have consistently opposed the Violence Against Women Act, who have stripped women of their rights to make choices regarding their own bodies, now attempting to feign concern for women,” the ‘Squad’ member declared. She further accused supporters of the bill of “targeting trans girls,” asserting that she has only two words regarding the issue: “not today.”
This bill lacks an enforcement mechanism, which consequently opens the door to various enforcement interpretations. Transgender girls are indeed girls. Ocasio-Cortez expressed gratitude for the newfound concern regarding women’s issues, suggesting that this is the first time such attention has been given. She further implied that there is an equality between men and women in athletic performance, a notion she attributes to her experiences in physical education and co-ed sports. Additionally, she warned that this situation may compel women to conform to a specific standard of femininity to appeal to the men who are behind this legislation. This raises questions about the definition of womanhood based on appearance, presentation, and personal choices regarding one’s body. Ocasio-Cortez asserted that the proponents of this bill are those with bigoted views and individuals who perpetrate assault.
In spite of the resistance from Ocasio-Cortez and her far-left supporters, an increasing number of Democrats are beginning to reevaluate the party’s stance on this matter following President-elect Donald Trump’s re-election. Former U.S. Representative Colin Allred expressed his opposition to male participation in women’s sports during his unsuccessful Senate campaign. Meanwhile, Representative Seth Moulton (D-MA) faced backlash from fellow Democrats for questioning the party’s focus on social issues. Moulton remarked to the New York Times post-election that Democrats often prioritize not offending anyone over addressing the real challenges faced by many Americans. He emphasized his concern for his two young daughters, stating that he does not want them to be at a disadvantage on the sports field against male or formerly male athletes, yet feels constrained as a Democrat to voice this opinion.
