House Passes Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act Amid Intense Debate

Legislation Aims to Define Sex Based on Biology at Birth, Sparking Controversy Over Fairness and Inclusion in Athletics

The House of Representatives has passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, a controversial piece of legislation that bars males from participating in women’s sports sponsored by organizations receiving federal funding. The bill, approved on January 14 with a vote of 218-206, specifies that sex should be recognized “based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.”

Republicans have lauded the bill as a significant step forward in preserving the integrity and safety of women’s sports. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) celebrated the passage, declaring, “This is a great day for women in America.” Proponents argue that the legislation addresses biological advantages males may have in sports, such as greater muscle mass and lung capacity, as well as concerns about potential injuries in high-impact competitions and the discomfort some female athletes might feel sharing locker rooms with biological males.