Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023

Floor Speech

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Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 734, the so-called Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.

I say so-called because there is really nothing in this bill to protect women and girls in sports. It is telling that every amendment submitted by a Democrat to actually strengthen protections, such as addressing unequal funding, was ruled out as not germane by Republicans.

There are many real issues facing our Nation's women's and girls' sports teams, including disproportionate funding and resources compared to their male counterparts, but transgender athletes are not one of them.

Every sports federation supports transgender athletes competing on an equal basis, seeing no inherent advantage in sports competition for transgender athletes.

Transgender young people experience increased incidences of bullying, rejection, and discrimination, and nearly half of trans women and girls report seriously considering suicide in the past year.

Why would we consider this hateful legislation that aims to isolate an already vulnerable group of children further?

Mr. Chair, I am proud to have been the first Member of Congress to speak out in support of transgender rights on the House floor. I do not support traumatizing young children by subjecting them to intrusive genital inspections.

Mr. Chair, I am proud to urge my colleagues to oppose this hateful bill.

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