[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 15, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H175-H178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PROTECTING THE RIGHTS AND SAFETY OF WOMEN
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 3, 2025, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Moore) is recognized for
60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
General Leave
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on the topic of this Special
Order.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Utah?
There was no objection.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, House Republicans are doubling down on our commitment to
supporting and protecting the rights and safety of women and girls
across the country. We are doing this by championing bills that fight
back against unfair competition in sports and dangerous immigration
policies.
Yesterday, we passed Congressman Steube's Protection of Women and
Girls in Sports Act, which is now on its way to the Senate. This
legislation prevents biological males from competing in school athletic
programs for women and girls by requiring that sex in athletic
competition be determined by genetics at birth.
[[Page H176]]
House Republicans are also supporting Congresswoman Mace's Violence
Against Women By Illegal Aliens Act, which amends the Immigration and
Nationality Act to make illegal immigrants inadmissible and deportable
from the United States if they are convicted of or have admitted to
committing sex offense or domestic violence.
I am grateful to my colleagues for joining me this evening to discuss
these important measures and our commitment to delivering for our
daughters, sisters, nieces, and granddaughters.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Moran).
Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today before you to reaffirm the House
Republicans' efforts to empower and protect American women and girls.
By passing legislation such as Congressman Greg Steube's Protection of
Women and Girls in Sports Act, Congressman Mike Collins' Laken Riley
Act, and Congresswoman Nancy Mace's Preventing Violence Against Women
by Illegal Aliens Act, we address significant lapses in our justice,
legal, and educational systems, and we push back against a radical left
agenda that leaves our society in moral tatters.
Individually, these bills tackle critical issues, and collectively
they create a safer, healthier, and more prosperous Nation for our
women and girls. That is really important to me and should be to every
American. However, as a father of two girls, specifically, I want my
girls to have the opportunity to thrive in a society that gives
equality to both men and women, that nurtures their growth, and
protects their well-being. I do not want to be part of a society that
places them at greater risk and reduces their opportunities in this
country.
Our daughters should not be forced to adhere to radical policies that
undermine truth, safety, and reality, policies that have been pushed
for the last 4 years by the Biden-Harris administration. We as a
Republican Conference will not sit idly by on this issue, nor have we,
as evidenced by the bills that I referenced today.
Let me personally thank, again, Congressman Steube, Congressman
Collins, and Congresswoman Mace for their dedication to protecting my
two daughters and every daughter, mother, and sister across this
Nation.
{time} 1730
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for being
willing to carve out time in their schedules to come down and share
this message.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from North Dakota (Mrs.
Fedorchak).
Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent all North
Dakotans in the United States House of Representatives. This is my
first speech on the House floor, and I want to take this opportunity to
tell you a little bit about our State and what I hope to accomplish
during the 119th Congress.
North Dakotans are hardworking, independent, resourceful people who
are dedicated to their faith, families, and communities. From
Abercrombie to Zap, and every place in between, North Dakotans show up
every day, regardless of rain, snow, or subzero temperatures. That is
what I will do here.
Our biggest industries in North Dakota are agriculture and energy. We
are very proud of those, but we have so many other innovative things
taking place: autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, defense
technology, and more.
This is why I sought a seat on the Committee on Energy and Commerce,
one of the best and most powerful committees on Capitol Hill. From my
seat there, I will help advance the interests of our State,
particularly in energy.
Before I became a Member of Congress, I served as a public service
commissioner for 12 years. I regulated five multistate monopoly
utilities, permitted $15 billion worth of new energy infrastructure,
and advocated for market rules and policies to support reliable and
affordable energy resources.
I saw firsthand the challenges to our energy policy and the direct
and dire consequences it has. North Dakotans, and Americans, too, have
also seen the impacts of these policies and the prices they pay at the
grocery store, at the gas pump, and to power their homes.
American energy reliability, affordability, sustainability, and
security are the weakest they have been in years. Take yesterday's
action by the Biden administration to lock up millions of acres of oil,
gas, and coal leases in North Dakota through the Bureau of Land
Management's resource management plan for the State. This is absolutely
the wrong direction.
As demand for energy reaches record highs, we should be unleashing
American energy production, not shutting it down. It is time to abandon
the one-size energy strategy that stifles domestic energy production
and jeopardizes hardworking Americans' jobs.
I am eager to work with the Trump administration, Governor Burgum,
and my colleagues in the House to invest in a true all-of-the-above
energy strategy and regain American energy dominance. Doing so will
help reduce America's debt, lower prices for hardworking families,
reduce global emissions, and bolster our national security.
I also rise today in support of H.R. 28, the Protection of Women and
Girls in Sports Act of 2025. This legislation seeks to make sure women
and girls have the opportunity to compete on a fair playing field by
requiring schools to comply with Title IX recognition of a person's
gender at birth.
Competing in girls' sports as a kid gave me strength, taught me
resilience, and helped me form lifelong friendships. My experience as a
kid would have been completely different if I had been forced to
compete against biological males.
Let's let our kids be kids. Let's let our daughters dream big, train
hard, and compete on a level playing field.
H.R. 28 is a commonsense bill. It strengthens protections for women,
and I was proud to vote for it. Men simply do not belong in women's
sports, and House Republicans are leading the charge to ensure fairness
for women and girls.
Yet, our commitment to women and families doesn't just stop there.
Last week, we also passed the Laken Riley Act, which will give
Immigration and Customs Enforcement the tools it needs to hold illegal
immigrants who commit theft and other crimes accountable.
This is the Republican agenda in action. We are protecting women,
supporting families, and making our communities safer. This is just the
beginning of our work.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, North Dakota, like Utah, definitely
hits above its weight, and the gentlewoman from North Dakota's presence
is key on all of these particular issues.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Houchin),
our Conference secretary.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Republicans stood united to
pass the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025,
reaffirming a simple but critical truth: Men are men, and women are
women. It is that simple.
As the mother of two daughters who are athletes, I have seen
firsthand the hard work and dedication it takes for girls to compete in
sports. Sadly, we have witnessed biological men entering women's
competitions, robbing female athletes of fair opportunities and, in
some cases, even causing injuries.
Under House Republican leadership, that ends now. This legislation,
which I am proud to cosponsor, sends a clear message: Female athletes
deserve fair competition, secure locker rooms, and a safe and level
playing field.
Thanks to House Republicans, the days of biological men competing in
women's sports are over. This legislation is about restoring common
sense. It is about standing up for objective truth.
The American people have called for this national mandate supporting
women and girls in their sports and spaces, and thanks to Republican
leadership, we are delivering on that promise. I am proud to stand with
Congressman Steube on the side of fairness, safety, integrity, and the
protection of women's sports.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from
California (Mr. LaMalfa), who has been through the devastation that we
are seeing there, and our hearts go out to those in California. His
district has been hit by this several times, and I will say that
hearing the stories and conversations he has from his district, it just
puts it into perspective. This is tough stuff. He has been down this
road before and has been a strong leader on communicating
[[Page H177]]
what we need to do to keep it from continuing to happen.
Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Speaker, California has had a lot of problems
inflicted upon it, partly by nature and partly self-inflicted by
governing.
As we bring resources and aid to southern California and reflect here
on these horrific events happening with the fire down there in the
Pacific Palisades and surrounding communities, it is very sobering but
also points out the need for leadership and competency in preparing for
it. It is really basic stuff.
The north part of the State has been through it many times, with the
losses of communities. We all remember the Paradise fire. Eighty-five
people lost their lives, and 90 percent of the town was consumed.
We have to do better in the preparation ahead of time before fire
season on how we treat the lands and have the apparatus ready, instead
of complications due to contracts, for example, with the Forest Service
not being ready to have the equipment that would be there in the
forests, and on and on.
I appreciate that, and we are going to do the best we can to move as
quickly as possible for the folks in southern California and then
ongoing to build up the infrastructure and the work that needs to be
done.
As tonight's topic has been, when we are talking about protecting our
citizens and our border, California, as well, under the direction of
Gavin Newsom, has become a haven for illegal immigration. The taxpayers
are footing the bill for an ever-expanding list of unbelievable
benefits that are being given to illegal immigrants.
From healthcare to education, sex changes, homes, the whole works,
California is pouring resources into supporting those here illegally
while our own citizens, as we mentioned, are struggling with many
things in burning communities, as well as the more day-to-day stuff:
overcrowded schools, strained healthcare systems, and increasing public
safety concerns with gangs, crime, and on and on.
We have sanctuary policies statewide, not just in cities, like we see
around the country. This is a statewide sanctuary policy that protects
illegal immigrants from ICE being able to pick them up when it is found
that we have illegals in this country that could be processed federally
and, hopefully, deported.
Cities across California are openly defying Federal immigration laws,
creating safe havens for those who have broken the law. These sanctuary
cities as well are not just a burden on our resources; they are a
threat, as I said, to public safety. We have seen this firsthand, most
recently in this country with the tragic loss and death of Laken Riley,
and you will remember a few years ago in San Francisco on the wharf
there, Kate Steinle was killed by a bullet from a gun that an illegal
immigrant had found, taken, stolen, or whatever. Those lives are gone,
and it is a tragedy for their families.
What are we going to do to avenge them? What are we going to do to
make it right? These two innocent women lost their lives due to these
violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants who are protected by
these sanctuary policies.
Tomorrow, hopefully, we will take up the Preventing Violence Against
Women by Illegal Aliens Act, introduced by my colleague Nancy Mace from
South Carolina. This crucial bill aims to close the loopholes that
would allow violent offenders to slip through the cracks and continue
to pose a threat to our country.
It is high time we prioritize the safety and security of our citizens
and the needs of our people, particularly women, who would be and have
been the victims of these violent crimes.
In my home State, California's approach is not sustainable. We are
overcrowded and overrun with crime, gangs, and broken services, as I
mentioned.
Governor Newsom's policies are draining our resources and
compromising public safety. His priorities are illegal aliens and all
sorts of benefits for them, which we keep seeing on and on, again and
again, as the State is running a deficit and spending on things like
high-speed rail instead of helping on fire safety and having our water
supply renewed for all those good reasons.
Instead of prioritizing the well-being of California, the State is
offering a free pass again and again to those coming into the country
illegally. We have become the State that is the magnet for all of it,
away from the other States.
As we have said, it is high time to put a stop to this. Let's stand
behind this legislation, the Preventing Violence Against Women by
Illegal Aliens Act, and ensure that we are doing everything possible to
protect our cities and the people who live within them, especially the
women, as we think of Laken Riley, Kate Steinle, and too many others
who have already paid the ultimate price.
We need to focus entirely on the needs of folks like that, and
hopefully, there will be some sense of closure or satisfaction for
their families to see that at least we have done the right thing
ultimately.
With President Trump coming in, in just a few short days, I think we
can finally get the momentum to do what we need to do with enforcing
our border and allowing legal immigration, allowing people who we
invite into the country.
We are still for immigration, just follow our rules, follow our laws,
and pass a few reasonable tests in order to be part of the American
Dream. We extend that. That is what the country was based on for so
many years, and it has completely gone awry in the last 50.
Why does the Biden administration and my colleagues on the other side
believe that this is good policy and keep getting away with it
politically? Why is that seen as a good thing?
I think folks have really had their fill of it now because they are
seeing it really showing up in their pocketbooks and their ability to
afford a home, have a job, and not continue to get further and further
behind, as this country has always aspired to have the next generation
be just a little bit better off than the previous one.
{time} 1745
Mr. Speaker, that is not happening now. You can lay policies such as
this right at the feet of our poorest border, as well as bad energy
policies and other things causing inflation.
With that, this is a very important thing we are working on this
week, so we can assure the women of this country that we are behind
them. We do have their backs on this violence, as well as the previous
legislation mentioned, on women and girls in sports having a safe place
to play and enjoy and excel without men somehow interfering on those
fields, in those locker rooms.
It is common sense. I can't believe we are here at this point. We are
battling back here in this Congress with Republican leadership doing
so.
I appreciate Mr. Moore leading us here tonight, and I thank him for
the time.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
California. Again, we continue to pray that the best outcomes possible
will continue to happen for California.
Mr. Speaker, my next speaker from Montana (Mr. Downing) is a brand-
new Member and our concluding speaker here today. We consider
ourselves, as a Utahn and Montanan, the greatest portion of the
country, wouldn't you say, out West? We have a lot to prove that.
The gentleman is a new Member but a very experienced, thoughtful, and
strong Member that I look forward to working with. I thank him for
being here.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Downing).
Mr. DOWNING. Mr. Speaker, House Republicans have hit the ground
running in the 119th Congress.
Last week, we considered bills to hold accountable illegal aliens who
break our laws and defend U.S. national sovereignty against a rogue
international judicial body.
This week is about protecting the women in all of our lives. I am a
father to two wonderful daughters and a husband to my amazing wife,
Heather. Never in a million years did I think that one day I would need
to take the floor of the United States House of Representatives to
defend their right to compete in athletic competitions without unfair
competition from biological males or to denounce acts of violence
perpetrated against them as
[[Page H178]]
wrong and deserving of punishment, but here I stand.
Just yesterday, we passed H.R. 28, the Protection of Women and Girls
in Sports Act. This bill ensures fair competition in women and girls'
sports by rightfully defining gender based on reproductive biology and
genetics and prohibiting males identifying as women from competing in
federally funded sporting competitions.
I was proud to add my support to this critical legislation, and I
look forward to voting for a second bill, the Preventing Violence
Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act, on the House floor tomorrow.
H.R. 30 will ensure that illegal aliens who have been convicted of or
admit to committing sex offenses or domestic violence can be deported
by closing a loophole in existing law.
Needless to say, the fact that we need to consider legislation of
this kind is ludicrous. Simple truths that we once took for granted are
under assault from ideological corners of our Nation that do not
represent the vast majority of Americans and certainly not the vast
majority of Montanans.
When America overwhelmingly elected Donald Trump to be our next
President, they gave Republicans a clear mandate to reverse course on
the progressive policies threatening the safety and well-being of our
daughters, nieces, granddaughters, and sisters. This week Democrats
have a chance to show us whose side they are on. I know where I stand.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Montana. I
appreciate all that we have been able to enact thus far.
Mr. Speaker, I close tonight and just thank my colleagues for being
here tonight and for taking the time to speak on this important issue.
As I mentioned earlier, House Republicans are committed to advancing
legislation that supports our women and girls and gives them a fair
chance to excel in their athletic endeavors.
The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act ensures biological
males are unable to compete in female-designated sports, giving women
and girls the opportunity to compete on a fair playing field by
requiring schools to comply with the Title IX recognition of a person's
genetics at birth. This bill withholds Federal funding from schools
that facilitate athletic programs where biological men compete against
biological women.
To be clear, this is not about disrespecting anyone. Everyone is
worthy of dignity and respect. However, protecting women and girls from
feeling uncomfortable in their locker rooms, sustaining major sports
injuries because of unfair competition, or simply losing out on well-
deserved athletic accolades because they are genetically unable to beat
a male is not purely political effort. It is simply what is right.
This is a line that we must draw, and we know that Americans agree
with this.
I have joked before about a couple of things. I have four boys. I
wasn't blessed with a girl. We lament it every day. I do love those
boys, though. I push them hard in sports.
I reflect on this about my nieces, and they are dynamite athletes
and, candidly, can probably beat me in most of their assigned sports,
such as tennis and soccer, across the board. That is what motivates me
on this.
The amount of confidence that you get from sports is key. The ability
to compete and play and enjoy this, above anything else, with all of
the extra pressures that are placed on kids nowadays with social media
pressure and everything, the concepts of teamwork that you learn,
achieving something, getting better at something, and having the
ability to say that you have a shot to win that competition cannot be
beaten into my nieces.
They have to be able to say, with a level playing field, they can go
win this, not because it is important to win that gold ribbon or this
or that or win the track meet. It is because they need to know that the
effort they put in can achieve something.
That is going to translate into a career, into anything that they get
involved with where they have to accomplish something. It is not just
about sports. It is a psychological element that we need to make sure
exists.
Sports is such a key, important aspect for growth in people, and that
is what we are trying to do here. Let's not make this a political
endeavor. At least you won't ever get that from me and my office and
the way we communicate about this.
Additionally, House Republicans this week are standing up for women's
safety by bringing to the floor Congresswoman Mace's Preventing
Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act to uphold the U.S. border
laws and make illegal immigrants who have been convicted of or admitted
to sex offenses or domestic violence inadmissible and deportable.
This bill is about closing critical gaps in our crimes. Last year,
over 20,000 illegal immigrants were not detained for sexual assault. As
of July, over 650,000 with criminal histories were on the ICE non-
detained docket. This must change. This bill takes action to get these
violent offenders off of our streets and make our communities safe
again.
I am grateful for the work my Republican colleagues have done to push
these bills forward. We are wasting no time to get some of the sensible
legislation that we were able to get passed and went nowhere in the
Senate in the last Congress, and we want to give the Senate an
opportunity to vote on this again.
I sincerely believe there will be Democrats who see the sensible
approach with this. We are also seeing it with the bill we passed last
week, the Laken Riley Act.
Again, I thank Congressman Steube and Congresswoman Mace for their
leadership on these critical issues. To my colleagues, again, I
appreciate their willingness to spend some time down here today.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
____________________