House Passes Anti-Trans 'Save Women's Sports' Bill - Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023 - H.R.734

What's the story?

• Last month, a GOP-backed 'Save Women's Sports' bill passed the House 219-203, with Democrat lawmakers calling it an example of "transgender bullying."
• The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act aims to prevent transgender women and girls who were assigned male at birth from competing in women's sports.
• In a recent poll by the Washington Post and the University of Maryland, 55% of Americans opposed trans athletes in women's sports at the high school level, while 58% opposed it at the college level.
• Over two dozen states have banned transgender youth from playing on girls' and women's teams since 2021.

What are supporters saying?

• Republican supporters say the bill will protect biologically female athletes from competing against biological men, who often dominate them in speed, strength, and endurance due to biological differences and "physical advantages."
• Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) said:

"We hate no one. It is ridiculous that we have had to stand here today to defend the rights of women and girls to participate in sports against other women and girls and they not being taken advantage of by biological males."

• Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL), the bill's sponsor, believes the push to include transgender athletes defies Title IX:

"Congress in 1972 created Title IX to protect women's sports to enable women to have an equal playing field in athletics. In worship to their trans idols, the administration wants to flip that on its head. It is insane."

• Steube's bill will ban schools from receiving Title IX federal funding if they permit athletes who were assigned male at birth to play on women's or girl's sports teams. 

What are opponents saying?

• No Democrats voted in favor of the bill, arguing that the legislation is a tool to bully and oppress transgender youth. 
• Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH) said:

"This bill is about bullying children. Stop bullying children."

• Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) said:

"House Republicans are choosing to bully and belittle trans children. This is about attacking a small group of children, and it is shameful."

• Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) said:

"We should rename it the 'cancel kids trans hate' bill. This bill fuels a virulent hate campaign against kids who just want to play with their friends."

Do you support the GOP-led ban on transgender athletes?

-Emma Kansiz

(Photo credit: iStock/South_agency)