House Speaker Mike Johnson Defends Legislation Supporting Women’s Sports
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, recently spoke in defense of the House’s passage of a bill aimed at safeguarding women’s sports, highlighting that the notion of gender has biblical roots tracing back to the creation of Adam and Eve in Genesis.
During a press conference, Johnson discussed the passage of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which cleared the House with a 218-206 vote. This legislation is designed to restrict trans-identified males from participating in women’s athletic events.
Emphasizing Biblical Principles
In his opening remarks, Johnson stated, “We know from Scripture and from nature that men are men and women are women, and men cannot become women.” When pressed by a reporter regarding the biblical basis for his view, he reiterated, “It goes back to the first book, Genesis,” pointing to the scripture that affirms, “Male and female He made them.”
Legislative Details
The bill, which garnered support from nearly all Republicans, would make it illegal for recipients of federal educational funds to allow anyone identified as male to compete in athletic programs designated for women or girls. While the same legislation was passed in the prior Congress, the Democrat-controlled Senate did not bring it to a vote.
Notably, this time two Democrats, Texas Representatives Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez, broke ranks to support the measure. Cuellar had voted against a similar bill previously, while Gonzalez did not participate in that vote.
Context of the Legislation
The push for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act follows President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to seek Congressional action to affirm that federal civil rights law prohibits trans-identified males from competing in women’s sports. With Republicans now in control of both the House and Senate, the support for this legislation has gained significant momentum.
However, the bill may face challenges in the Senate, where Republicans hold only 53 seats, making a 60-vote threshold necessary for passage. This dynamic suggests that securing the needed Democratic votes might be a considerable hurdle, especially given the steadfast opposition from House Democrats.
Concerns Over Equity in Sports
This legislative movement is largely fueled by increasing concerns over trans-identified male athletes excelling in women’s sports. A prominent case is Lia (Will) Thomas, a trans-identified man who broke records in women’s swimming after previously competing on a men’s team for three years.
The disparity in biological advantages is a central argument for many proponents of the legislation. For example, USA Powerlifting has cited factors such as increased body mass, muscle density, and bone structure as ways that trans-identified males maintain an advantage in competitive sports.
Advocacy for Female Athletes
Kristen Waggoner, a representative from the Alliance Defending Freedom, an organization advocating for women’s rights in athletics, applauded the House’s passage of the bill. She expressed that allowing trans-identified males to compete in women’s categories undermines fair competition and the prospects for female athletes.
“Girls shouldn’t be spectators in their own sports,” Waggoner asserted. “It is crucial to recognize biology, not identity, in athletics. We are grateful to Speaker Mike Johnson and the U.S. House of Representatives for prioritizing this legislation and hope the Senate will act swiftly.”
State-Level Responses
In the absence of federal regulations, a total of 27 states have enacted their own laws or regulations prohibiting trans-identified males from competing on women’s sports teams. These states include Alabama, Florida, Texas, and many others across the country, reflecting a growing trend to address this ongoing issue at the state level.
As the conversation surrounding gender in sports continues to evolve, the implications of this legislation resonate deeply within the realm of women’s athletics, sparking both support and significant debate across the nation.