Congressional Equality Caucus Denounces House Passage Of H.R. 734, The “Politics Over Participation Act”

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Congressional Equality Caucus released the following statement denouncing the House Passage of H.R. 734, the so-called "Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act," or more appropriately, the "Politics Over Participation Act."

"As gun violence plagues our schools, anti-equality politicians decided the most pressing priority for the House was to ban trans girls of all ages from playing on school sports teams with their friends. These extreme politicians are trying to distract from the fact that they have no solutions for the problems facing everyday Americans, and trans kids are paying the price," said Equality Caucus Chair Mark Pocan (WI-02). "Trans girls deserve the same opportunity as all other girls – to be part of a team, learn sportsmanship, and challenge themselves. I condemn today's vote to rob trans girls of these opportunities. Anti-equality politicians need to stop punching down and bullying trans kids. My colleagues who voted for this bill should be ashamed."

"H.R. 734 has nothing to do with protecting women and girls, in fact it would actively harm them. This bill bans kids from playing school sports. All children should be welcome to play sports in school and using trans kids to energize your political base is shameful," said Equality Caucus Co-Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01). "This is part of a larger, sinister campaign for political power that is attacking transgender kids. This is a harmful piece of legislation and must not be allowed to become law."

"H.R. 734 is a vile and cowardly attempt by House Republicans to weaponize hate against a small group of students for political gain rather than solving real issues in our educational system. I vow to continue fighting for our trans students, who deserve to live, learn, and play sports safely, just like any other student," said Equality Caucus Co-Chair Mark Takano (CA-39).

"It is heartbreaking to watch the GOP force legislation through the House that mandates which of our children are worthy of feeling respected and included – and which ones aren't," said Equality Caucus Co-Chair Angie Craig (MN-02). "This bill would harm all young women and girls, weaken Title IX protections, and open trans children up to dangerous attacks. All our children deserve better than cruel legislation like this, and that's why I voted against it today."

"Kansas students should feel safe and secure at school, and decisions on what's best for them should be made by their parents, along with their teachers and doctors, not by blanket rules from politicians," said Equality Caucus Co-Chair Sharice Davids (KS-03). "With rising costs, families are facing many challenges right now, and people would be best served if Congress focused on those issues—not invasive policies that harm our children."

"Banning trans women and girls from participating in sports and allowing schools to directly discriminate against students on the basis of their gender identity would do lasting harm not just to them, but our communities as a whole," said Equality Caucus Co-Chair Chris Pappas (NH-01). "I strongly oppose this legislation, which is the latest in a series of bigoted, harmful attacks on the transgender community. All students deserve the opportunity to participate fully at school, including in school sports, and I remain committed to ensuring every student has a safe, inclusive school environment."

"It's become painfully obvious that extreme MAGA Republicans have absolutely no interest in addressing the very real problems facing everyday Americans, like fighting inflation, protecting communities from gun violence, and making healthcare more affordable and accessible," said Equality Caucus Co-Chair Ritchie Torres (NY-15). "Instead, they're singularly obsessed with continuing this hateful and coordinated assault on LGBTQI+ kids that we've seen playing out across the country through countless pieces of anti-trans legislation. But make no mistake. House Democrats will not fall for this lie of ‘protecting women' as an excuse for a bill that's so vaguely written it could force any girl to undergo invasive medical exams just to prove their sex. There are plenty of states, schools, and sports associations at all levels that for decades have allowed trans athletes to compete fairly and consistently with their gender identity with no issues. We should follow their lead, stop putting politics over participation, and let the kids play."

"H.R. 734 is undeniably an attack on our kids and does nothing to protect girls. Bills like this are aimed at taking away rights from LGBTQI+ Americans. Trans kids and their families are being targeted and harassed for political gain. Is this the nation we want to live in?" said Equality Caucus Co-Chair Becca Balint (VT- AL). "We risk lives when we don't stand up clearly and loudly against discrimination towards trans people. I'm proud to stand with my Democrat colleagues against this hateful and dangerous bill."

"This bill does nothing to ease the burden felt by LGBTQI+ students across the country. In fact, it adds to it. With this legislation, House Republicans continue their obsession with attacking trans kids by banning them from participating on school sports teams," said Equality Caucus Co-Chair Robert Garcia (CA-42). "If Republicans want to address issues with sports, Congress should instead take up legislation with pay equity and sexual harassment. Trans kids deserve the chance to live authentically and free from hate, and today, their government has failed them."

"Instead of addressing the issues parents worry about every day, like bullying and safety in schools, this bill takes away certain kids' ability to learn," said Equality Caucus Co-Chair Eric Sorensen (IL-17). "This isn't about protecting sports, this is about every child setting their own goals, being a part of their team, overcoming challenges, and being proud of who they are and what they can achieve."

H.R. 734 amends existing law to make it a violation of Title IX for recipients of federal financial assistance to allow transgender girls or women to participate in girls' and women's athletic programs. This bill would effectively ban all trans girls and trans women from participating on school sports teams, depriving them of an important opportunity to be part of their school community, learn sportsmanship, and challenge themselves. It would also limit the ability of non-binary and intersex students to participate in these programs as well.

More than 95 leading women's and girls' rights organizations, including the Women's Sports Foundation and National Women's Law Center, support full inclusion of all students—including transgender, intersex, and nonbinary students—in school sports and oppose this bill.

Leading athletes and player associations also support full inclusion in sports. For example, when an anti-transgender legal organization challenged Connecticut's inclusive athletics policy, athletic stars like Jasmine Thomas, Billie Jean King, Megan Rapinoe, and Layshia Clarendon, the Women's National Basketball Players Association, and others filed an amicus brief defending the right of transgender students to play. In addition, forty leading professional athletes, including Megan Rapinoe and Lori Lindsey wrote to members of Congress earlier this month, highlighting the harmful impact of H.R. 734 and urging policymakers to instead turn their attention and effort to the causes women athletes have been fighting for decades.

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Founded in 2008, the mission of the Congressional Equality Caucus is to promote equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics, including intersex traits. The Caucus is strongly committed to achieving the full enjoyment of human rights for LGBTQI+ people in the U.S. and around the world.