House of Representatives Passes Bill to Bar Transgender Athletes from Competing in Women’s Sports Events

The Republican-led House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday that would bar schools and colleges that receive federal money from allowing transgender athletes whose biological sex assigned at birth was male to compete on girls or women’s sports teams or athletic events.

The bill, known as the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, was authored by Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., and was approved by a party-line vote of 219 to 203. It would amend Title IX to bar schools that receive federal funding from allowing people “whose sex is male” to participate in sports designated for women or girls.

Supporters of the bill said it is necessary to ensure competitive fairness, as female athletes would be disadvantaged by having to compete against those whose gender identity does not match their biological sex. The legislation defines sex as “based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.” Violators of the bill would be at risk of losing taxpayer dollars.

The vote is the latest GOP salvo in the intensifying culture wars over transgender rights in America. The White House has said President Joe Biden would veto the measure, which “targets people for who they are and therefore is discriminatory,” if it were to make it to his desk.

The bill now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to face an uphill battle. It remains to be seen if the bill will pass, and if it does, whether President Biden will veto it.