U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) sharply criticized 218 of her colleagues, accusing them of being “bigots” after the Republican-led House passed legislation banning male, “transgender-identifying” athletes from competing in women’s and girls’ sports at federally funded schools and institutions. Two Democrats, Reps. Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, sided with Republicans in voting for the bill, while Rep. Don Davis of North Carolina voted “present.” The legislation now heads to the Republican-controlled Senate.
During the previous session of Congress, House Republicans approved a similar bill in a 219-203 vote split strictly along party lines. However, the Democrat-controlled Senate at the time did not consider the measure. This time, Republicans are optimistic about its chances, citing growing public support for bans on men competing in women’s sports and restrictions on gender reassignment surgeries for minors. According to Gallup’s 2023 “Values and Beliefs” poll, 69% of Americans supported a ban on men competing in women’s sports. Similarly, a survey conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago in the summer of 2023 found that 66% of respondents opposed allowing men and boys to compete in women’s and girls’ sports.
The bill would bar “transgender women and girls” from joining sports teams that align with their gender identity. Instead, federal law would be amended to require that sex be defined solely based on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth under Title IX policies. Title IX, initially established to prevent sex-based discrimination in federally funded educational programs, has been a point of contention after President Biden attempted to expand its scope to include additional protections for transgender and LGBTQ+ individuals. However, a federal judge recently struck down Biden’s amendment, ruling that it exceeded the president’s authority.
“This legislation reflects our commitment to common sense and what is fundamentally right,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) stated after the bill’s passage. “Scripture and nature affirm that men are men and women are women—biological facts that cannot be changed. It’s unfortunate we even need to clarify this.” Johnson highlighted safety concerns, noting that allowing biological men to compete against women poses risks to girls’ safety and undermines fairness in sports. “It’s dangerous, it’s unfair, and it’s a rejection of reality. Today, the House reaffirmed common sense by voting to ensure schools receiving federal funding respect the original intent of Title IX and keep biological men out of women’s sports.”
Despite gaining some Democratic support this time, Republicans will still need additional backing in the Senate for the legislation to become law.
While House Republicans succeeded in gaining support from two Democrats, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez emerged as one of the most vocal opponents of the legislation during the House floor debate. “Here we are today with Republicans who have consistently voted against the Violence Against Women Act, who have stripped away women’s rights to choose and have control over their own bodies, and who stand idly by while we are left to die—suddenly pretending to care about women,” the progressive Democrat exclaimed.
Ocasio-Cortez accused supporters of the bill of targeting transgender girls, stating emphatically, “I have two words for this: not today.”
She criticized the legislation for lacking an enforcement mechanism, arguing that such gaps create opportunities for discriminatory enforcement. “Trans girls are girls,” she said, addressing proponents of the bill. “For all the folks suddenly concerned about women’s well-being, thank you for your newfound interest.”
Ocasio-Cortez went on to challenge the underlying premises of the bill, even suggesting that men and women are equal in athletic ability, drawing from her experiences in “gym class” and co-ed sports. “What this bill really does is force women to conform to a narrow definition of femininity created by the same men drafting it,” she asserted. “It opens the door to questioning what defines a woman—based on appearance, presentation, and personal choices.”
She concluded with a sharp critique of the bill’s supporters, saying, “I know who loves this bill: bigots love this bill. Assaulters love this bill.” Her remarks underscored her belief that the legislation promotes discrimination rather than fairness in women’s sports.
Despite opposition from AOC and her allies on the far-left, a growing number of Democrats have been questioning party messaging on the issue in the aftermath of President-elect Donald Trump’s re-election victory. Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred stated that he was opposed to men competing in women’s sports during his unsuccessful campaign for U.S. Senate, while Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) drew the ire of fellow Democrats for questioning the party’s emphasis on social issues. “Democrats spend way too much time trying not to offend anyone rather than being brutally honest about the challenges many Americans face,” Moulton told the New York Times after the election. “I have two little girls, I don’t want them getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete, but as a Democrat I’m supposed to be afraid to say that.”
Despite his statement, Moulton voted against the legislation on Tuesday.
