[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





          PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SPORTS ACT OF 2023

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 19, 2023

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 734) to 
     amend the Education Amendments of 1972 to provide that for 
     purposes of determining compliance with title IX of such Act 
     in athletics, sex shall be recognized based solely on a 
     person's reproductive biology and genetics at birth:

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 734, 
Republicans' disturbing and discriminatory Politics Over Participation 
Act, the first standalone anti-trans legislation to ever receive a vote 
on the House Floor.
  H.R. 734 is part of the extreme MAGA majority's political agenda that 
legislates hate against our vulnerable transgender youth. This bill 
fails to protect America's children and puts their privacy and physical 
security at risk. If passed, H.R. 734 could require girls and young 
women to answer deeply personal questions about their menstrual cycle 
and physical development; and could lead to physical inspections by 
adults whom they may not even know.
  This bill would also deny transgender girls the community building 
and personal growth that comes from being part of a sports team. 
Participating in sports helps young people develop skills like 
leadership, teamwork, and building self-esteem. At a time when mental 
health emergencies among children and young adults are skyrocketing, 
House Republicans are failing to prioritize the real issues affecting 
America's children. If they truly wanted to support female athletes and 
women's sports, then they should be addressing issues like equal pay, 
ending institutional mistreatment of female athletes, and broadening 
opportunities for participation for historically excluded communities.
  Mr. Chair, sports should be safe, accessible, and fair for everyone. 
Enforcement of H.R. 734 would do the opposite and cause irreparable 
damage to children. I will not stand for further restrictions on the 
lives and livelihoods of transgender Americans and the bullying of our 
transgender children.

                          ____________________