[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 84 (Monday, May 20, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

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                            HON. GREG PENCE

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 20, 2019

  Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I am not recorded for roll call vote No. 
216 on Friday, May 17, 2019 because I was meeting with 8th grade 
Hoosiers from the Saint Bartholomew Catholic School in Columbus, 
Indiana. Since my first day in office, I have been squarely focused on 
what I was sent here to do: Represent Hoosiers of the 6th District.
  As a man of faith, I am wholeheartedly opposed to H.R. 5--a bill that 
limits our nation's founding principles of freedom of religion, 
conscience, and speech. We are a nation that allows and embraces 
diverse thoughts and opinions, but this bill would grant special 
privileges to individuals at the expense of the freedoms of others. 
Many women in Indiana's 6th District depend on athletic scholarships to 
obtain higher education and career aspirations, and this legislation 
would unfairly force female athletes to compete against biological 
males.
  Had I been present, I would have voted Yea on the Republican Motion 
to Recommit, RC No. 216. This Motion to Recommit would have amended 
H.R. 5 to ensure that nothing in the bill may be construed to diminish 
any protections under Title IX, therefore safeguarding the integrity of 
female sports.

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