The recent passage of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act has stirred significant controversy.
After a tense debate, the bill, which restricts transgender women from participating in female sports, passed the House and now awaits Senate consideration, Fox News reported.
Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer, has openly criticized Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other Democrats. Gaines accused them of a performative opposition during the House vote on January 14, 2025.
The bill passed with narrow support, primarily along party lines: 218 to 206. All Republicans and two Democrats voted in favor, while the vast majority of Democrats, including Rep. Don Davis who voted "present," opposed it.
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez led a vocal opposition, asserting that the bill would require invasive procedures for young female athletes. She argued that the bill would enforce genital examinations, a point hotly contested by supporters of the measure.
Riley Gaines, the former athlete, emphasized that the bill does not intend any form of genital inspections. Instead, it suggests verification processes such as birth certificate reviews and standard physicals already customary in sports. The House legislation targets federally funded educational institutions, mandating they prevent transgender students from joining female sports teams. A failure to adhere would mean a loss of federal funds.
Riley Gaines voiced her frustration with the Democrats' solidarity against the bill, likening their unanimous opposition to cultish behavior. She sees their stance as disconnected from public sentiment expressed in recent elections.
Although most Democrats stood against the bill, figures like Rep. Seth Moulton and Rep. Tom Suozzi admitted concerns regarding transgender athletes competing in women's sports. However, under pressure, they did not support the legislation.
Riley Gaines remarked on the Democrats' refusal to change their stance even after the electoral outcomes, which suggested a need for a shift in party approaches regarding such sensitive issues.
Riley Gaines called out the hypocrisy she perceived, particularly pointing to historical voting patterns on issues affecting women's safety and rights, including Rep. Ocasio-Cortez's past votes. Here is what she stated:
So to watch the theatrical performance, which that's exactly what it was, from pretty much all of the Democrats on the House floor, it was disheartening. And to continue to see them tout about women's rights, and she mentions the Violence Against Women Act... Do we remember how AOC voted on the Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act? Because she voted in opposition.
On her end, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez argued that Republicans are exploiting this legislation to intrude on the privacy of young athletes under the guise of protecting women, while neglecting broader women's rights issues.
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez vocalized her concerns forcefully in the debate, stating, "Republicans who have voted against, consistently, against the Violence Against Women Act now want to pretend today that they care about women. And why? To open up gender and, yes, genital examinations into little girls in this country in the so-called name of attacking trans girls," adding, "Trans girls are girls."
Amidst this controversy, the bill's future in the U.S. Senate remains uncertain, with both supporters and opponents gearing up for another round of intense debate. This legislative move highlights the ongoing debate over rights, inclusivity, and fairness in sports, reflecting broader national conversations about gender and equality.
