Representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) expressed concern on Tuesday that departures from the Democratic caucus regarding a Republican proposal to prohibit transgender women and girls from participating in school sports suggest her party is “not in good shape” to combat a Republican legislative agenda.
“We must not be naive about this,” Ocasio-Cortez told The Independent. “These are merely the initial stages. Trump hasn’t even taken office yet, and if a small sports bill is enough for some Democrats to sway, we’re in serious trouble.”
On Tuesday, the House voted 218-206 to modify Title IX, the legislation prohibiting sex-based discrimination, to characterize “sex” as relating to “an individual’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.”
Representatives Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez, both moderate Democrats from Texas, backed the Republican initiative. Initially, no Democrat supported the proposal when it was brought up in 2023.
House Leader Mike Johnson (R-KY) oversees the narrowest majority in the chamber in nearly a century, meaning a single Democratic defection could sway the balance towards Republican legislation.
If enacted, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act will effectively prohibit transgender athletes from competing in sports that match their gender identity at federally funded schools.
The bill’s trajectory in the Senate appears uncertain, as Republicans would require seven Democratic defectors to reach the 60 votes necessary for passage.
The legislative fate may be less relevant: President-elect Donald Trump has committed to reversing transgender rights upon assuming office and suggested during his campaign that he could enforce a sports ban through executive authority.
Additionally, his transition team is reportedly considering an executive order that would dismiss all transgender service members from the U.S. military.
A Trump spokesperson informed the defense news outlet Military.com that “no conclusions on this matter have been reached” and indicated that individuals relaying information to the press regarding a potential military ban “are not fully informed.”
During his initial term, Trump prohibited transgender troops, a decision reversed by President Joe Biden.
In response to Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE) becoming the first transgender individual elected to Congress, Republican lawmakers sought to limit transgender individuals’ access to bathrooms within the Capitol building.
Ocasio-Cortez advised reporters that instead of yielding to Republican hostilities over their support for transgender individuals, Democrats ought to proactively engage on issues that could cultivate public backing.
To this end, several House Democrats indicated that their opposition to the Republican bill stemmed from concerns it could expose girls to genital inspections, thereby opening doors for potential predatory behavior.
“This bill would give child predators the authority to inspect the genitalia of young women,” Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL) told The Independent. “And in order to safeguard children, we must ensure to vote against it.”
“When we demonstrate how legislation like this not only harms trans girls—which is an issue—but affects all girls, and when we reveal that men who let women perish in parking lots cannot be trusted, it’s akin to allowing foxes to roam the henhouse. By calling it out vigorously, we can unite people,” explained Ocasio-Cortez.
