US House Approves Ban on Transgender Athletes in School Sports Teams

The US House of Representatives passes legislation banning transgender students from participating in school sports teams aligning with their gender identity, igniting nationwide debate on inclusivity and fairness.

The US House of Representatives has approved legislation prohibiting biological males from participating on girls’ sports teams at schools receiving federal funding. This law would affect all federally subsidized kindergartens, elementary and high schools, as well as colleges and universities.

The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act mandates that student athletes are allowed to join sports teams based on the gender they were assigned at birth.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, told reporters before Tuesday’s vote that the American people delivered a clear message in November. They desire a return to common sense, and it’s time to see if Democrats have understood this sentiment.

“Today, everyone seems to be discussing their children. I have two sons and two daughters, and we definitely notice the differences—it’s something that all parents observe. Denying it would just be silly,” he remarked.

The final vote concluded with 218 in favor and 206 against. Two Democrats from Texas, Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzales, sided with the Republicans, whereas Don Davis of North Carolina chose to vote “present.” Each of these three representatives secured their positions by narrow margins in districts that have increasingly leaned Republican in recent years.

Doug LaMalfa, a Republican from California, expressed his astonishment during the debate on the bill: “It’s incredible that we’re even discussing this. The concept of XY chromosome males competing and taking opportunities away from women and girls in sports is just astonishing to me.” He also questioned why feminists and activists who have advocated for women’s rights were not speaking up about the issue.

In response, Democrats renamed the bill the “Child Predator Empowerment Act.” Andrea Salinas, a Democrat from Oregon, argued that it created an “unfair playing field” as it permitted any parent to voice concerns about transgender athletes—a situation she described as “rare.”

Eugene Vindman of Virginia, a Democrat born in Ukraine and brother of Alexander Vindman who was involved in Donald Trump’s first impeachment in 2019, argued that Republicans should shift their focus away from cultural conflicts and instead prioritize efforts to reduce costs, invest in public education, and improve access to affordable healthcare.

Donald Trump is set to be inaugurated for his second term on Monday.

For the second time, the House has passed a bill concerning transgender athletes put forward by Florida Republican Greg Steube. Initially approved in 2023 with a vote of 219-203, it was previously stalled as Democrats controlling the Senate chose not to address it. Now that Republicans have gained control over both chambers of Congress, new Senate leadership has indicated their intention to advance and approve the legislation shortly.