House passes bill protecting women’s sports teams

The U.S. House of Representatives returned a razor-thin 218-206 vote on Tuesday to pass a measure ensuring that only females participate in federally funded women’s sports. House records show only two Democrats voted against party lines to support the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., reintroduced the bill which initially failed to pass in 2024 due to a lack of Democratic support.

Denying biological truth makes sports unfair and puts the safety and opportunities of female athletes at risk, Steube said at a press conference after the passage. The House’s vote sends a clear message to the Senate that protecting women is non-negotiable, he added. Passing this bill brings society one step closer to ensuring no more women lose trophies, playing time, or scholarships to men in their own sport, former University of Kentucky NCAA swim team member and women’s athletics advocate Riley Gaines said after the vote. The bill will now move to the upper chamber for approval from the Senate.

How did the bill’s critics react? Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., characterized the measure as cruel and poorly thought through. Having kids undergo physical exams to verify their sex is an attack on dignity and privacy, he wrote. Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., made similar comments and accused the GOP of obsessing over children’s genitals. Instead of lowering costs for Americans, Republicans are pushing a bill to threaten transgender athletes, wrote Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif.

Dig deeper: Listen to Travis K. Kircher’s report on The World and Everything in It about Riley Gaines’ push to protect women in sports.