Two House Dems join GOP to ban biological males from girls’ school sports

In a recent development, two House Democrats have aligned with their Republican counterparts to pass a bill that would ban transgender female athletes from participating in girls’ school sports teams. The Protection of Women and Girls In Sports Act, spearheaded by Rep. Greg Steube of Florida, aims to amend federal law to mandate that student athletes must compete on teams that align with their gender at birth.

This legislation, which is expected to soon be taken up by Senate Republicans, would apply to all federally funded schools from kindergarten through high school, as well as colleges and universities that receive federal funding. The bill has sparked a contentious debate within Congress, with some Democrats criticizing their party’s emphasis on inclusivity and progressivism, arguing that there is little room for dissent on issues like transgender youth.

Notably, Representatives Tom Suozzi of New York and Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, who raised concerns about the bill’s implications, ultimately voted against it. Meanwhile, Republicans have championed the legislation as a means of safeguarding women and girls from what they perceive as unfair athletic standards.

During a recent press conference, Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana underscored the importance of returning to common sense and addressing the concerns of American parents. Rep. Doug LaMalfa of California echoed this sentiment, expressing disbelief at the notion of biological males competing against women and girls in sports.

Despite the bill’s passage in the House by a narrow margin in a previous session, it never made it to the Senate floor for consideration. Democrats, including Rep. Sara Jacobs of California, have vehemently opposed the legislation, labeling it as “The GOP Child Predator Empowerment Act.” Rep. Andrea Salinas of Oregon raised concerns about the potential for unfair treatment of transgender girls in sports, highlighting the rarity of such cases.

As the debate continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this legislation will impact the landscape of women’s sports in the United States. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.

Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, covering the House of Representatives. You can follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind and reach out with tips at elizabeth.elkind@fox.com.