Republicans in both houses of Congress have launched another effort to ban transgender women and girls from female sports teamsand this time, they are attempting to ban trans women from competing on U.S. Olympic teams ahead of this year's Games in Paris, The Hill reported.
Earlier this month, U.S. Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) filed a bill that stated that U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) -recognized governing bodies would be barred from allowing trans women to participate in women's athletic events. Transgender men would be exempt.
The measure marks the first time Congress has tried to ban trans women and girls from competitions involving pro athletes; last April, the House passed a bill (that Steube also sponsored) to prevent transgender student-athletes from competing on school sports teams consistent with their gender identity.
Late last year, U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) also sponsored a second bill to ban transgender women and girls from competing on school sports teams.
Andrew Davis