House Republicans and Two Democrats Pass Anti-Trans Bill
Republican lawmakers have again highlighted how they drive broader social animus toward nonwhite, non-cis-gendered people
On Tuesday, Republicans introduced the first anti-trans legislation in the 119th Congress. The bill titled, “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025” (H.R. 28) is deceptive as it doesn’t protect anyone and instead puts athletes at risk. Because the bill does not establish guidelines for determining someone’s gender, it creates openings for unqualified individuals to demand women and children expose themselves so their gender can be determined.
While Republicans claim they are standing up for women and protecting all the successes women have achieved throughout history, the reality bears a different narrative. Republicans have stood in the way of various pieces of legislation to protect women from violence while also supporting legislation that limits women’s right to make decisions about their own health.
The bill's text is beyond problematic as it appears no effort was made or thought put into drafting the 3-page document. Despite all of the issues it creates, what the legislation shows us is the bigoted nature of it. Like any bills created throughout history to oppress other marginalized groups deemed second-class, the text of the bill highlights precisely the bigoted nature through its targeting of a group without any care of the repercussions
That it would negatively impact women and girls directly also shows how little conservative ideology thinks of them. The white male superiority complex behind it is quite revealing as noted in the debates that took place. It’s worth noting the blatant misogyny and trans-misogyny of the bill as it stereotypes women while targeting trans women by putting a target on their backs.
Below you’ll find clips of that extensive debate.
The Debate
Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) opens the debate on the anti-trans bill using some of the same tired anti-trans tropes we’ve been hearing for years while trying to lay the groundwork for how the bill protects women without explaining how it does. He begins the session by showing the bigoted nature of the bill as it’s based on rhetoric that dehumanizes trans women.
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) spoke about the myriad issues the bill creates for women and children while highlighting how Republicans are focused on stereotypes and bigotry.
Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) cites scripture and employs hyperbolic transphobic language.
Rep. Mark Takano explains how the bill would disproportionately affect children.
Rep. Michael Rulli (R-OH) tried to portray the bill as protecting women and girls.
Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) called the legislation what it is: a hateful bill.
One of the smartest debaters of the day was Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) who pulled no punches while addressing Republicans directly.
The bill passed along party lines (218-206) and now heads to the Senate.
Reps. Vincente Gonzalez (D-TX) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) voted with Republicans and Rep. Don Davis (D-NC) voted present. Nine lawmakers did not vote. Six of those were Democrat Reps. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Brittany Petersen (D-CO), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), and George Whiteside (D-CA). The other three were Republican Reps. Diana Harshberger (R-TN), Lisa McClain (R-MI), and Elise Stefanik (R-NY).
Read the Full Anti-Trans Bill
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Thank you for sharing the vote details as now we can tell that it could have been as close as 216-215 for example ... It's crazy to see Pelosi not voting there as well as Democrats voting for this bill ... it tells you a lot about where their interest lies, not with the people but for themselves (I'm sure they are thinking about reelection).