House Passes Bill Protecting Women and Girls in Sports

The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill protecting women and girls in sports.
The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act (H.R. 28) amends the Education Amendments of 1972, affirming that any federally funded school and college that allow males to complete on women’s teams violates the Act.
The bill stipulates that “sex shall be recognized based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.” It amends the Education Amendments of 1972, which includes Title IX prohibitions on sex discrimination in education, adding the following sections:
- It shall be a violation of subsection (a) for a recipient of Federal financial assistance who operates, sponsors, or facilitates an athletic program or activity to permit a person whose sex is male to participate in an athletic program or activity that is designated for women or girls.
- For the purposes of this subsection, sex shall be recognized based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.
The bill passed the House with bipartisan support in a 218-206 vote. All present Republican members voted in favor of the bill as did two Democrat representatives.
Rep. Greg Steube, R-FL, who sponsored the bill, issued a statement applauding the bill’s passage. “The House has delivered on its promise to protect women’s sports,” said Rep. Steube., adding,
In a press conference after H.R. 28 passed, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson defended the legislation, explaining to a reporter that “biology is not bigotry.”
Speaker Johnson uses the Bible to shred ignorant reporter
— Terry Schilling 🇺🇸 (@Schilling1776) January 15, 2025
Reporter: Where in scripture does it say male and female?@SpeakerJohnson: GENESIS pic.twitter.com/OfGl32wmQR
Courageous women’s rights activist Riley Gaines also spoke, saying she is “thrilled” the legislation passed. “But truthfully, I’m mad,” she added. “I’m mad that this is something we have to do. I’m mad that we, as women, have to beg for equal rights.”
🔥🔥🔥 WATCH NOW! Riley Gaines destroys the pro-trans argument that boys should be able to compete in girls' sports.
— Terry Schilling 🇺🇸 (@Schilling1776) January 14, 2025
No one has done more to protect our daughters than @Riley_Gaines_ — THANK YOU! pic.twitter.com/2ojI2CE58t
Alliance Defending Freedom President and CEO Kristen Waggoner also released a statement applauding the House’ passage of H.R. 28.
“Girls shouldn’t be spectators in their own sports,” Waggoner said. “Allowing males who identify as female to compete in girls’ sports ignores the biological differences between the sexes – destroying fair competition and erasing women’s athletic prospects.”
She added,
Various liberal representatives and media outlets spread lies about the bill, calling H.R. 28 the “Child Predator Empowerment Act” or saying the bill “restrict[s] transgender athletes from women’s sports.”
Far from it, the bill protects women and girls from predators by defending their private spaces like locker rooms and bathrooms. It also doesn’t prohibit “transgender” athletes from women’s sports, because there is no such thing as a “transgender” athlete – there are only male and female athletes. H.R. 28 prohibits males from competing in girls and women’s sports.
We extend a hearty thank you to all representatives who voted for H.R. 28 to protect women and girls in sports. Defending girls and women’s sports, private spaces, and safety shouldn’t be a partisan issue. It’s just common sense.
We hope the U.S. Senate will soon take up, and pass, the legislation too.
If you’re concerned about what your child is being taught in school, check out this updated, free resource from Focus on the Family and Family Policy Alliance: Equipping Parents for Back-to-School.
We want parents to feel confident and equipped to manage issues affecting public – and private and online – schooling. The FREE downloadable resource helps you be aware of what’s going on in your child’s classroom and offers guidance for how to advocate for your child in the school year ahead.
Related articles and resources:
Focus on the Family: Putting Children First in Education
Focus on the Family Parenting: Thriving Student
Victory for Girls Sports: Court Halts DOE Redefinition of Sex
Parents Support Core Subjects, Keep Males out of Female Sports
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Zachary Mettler is a writer/analyst for the Daily Citizen at Focus on the Family. In his role, he writes about current political issues, U.S. history, political philosophy, and culture. Mettler earned his Bachelor’s degree from William Jessup University and is an alumnus of the Young Leaders Program at The Heritage Foundation. In addition to the Daily Citizen, his written pieces have appeared in the Daily Wire, the Washington Times, the Washington Examiner, Newsweek, Townhall, the Daily Signal, the Christian Post, Charisma News and other outlets.