WASHINGTON—The House passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act on Jan. 14, with a vote of 218-206. The legislation excludes males from participating in women’s sports sponsored by organizations that receive federal funding.
The text stipulates that “sex shall be recognized based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.”
“This is a great day for women in America,” Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said at a press conference following the bill’s passage.
The legislation, introduced by Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), is also likely to pass in the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority.
Proponents of the legislation pointed out male advantages in sports, such as increased muscle and lung capacity. They raised the risk of injury in high-impact sports as well as concerns about young women being forced to share locker room space with biological males.
“It’s dangerous, it’s unfair, it’s rejection of reality, and it is just plain wrong,” Johnson said.