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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) faced backlash after a fiery speech on the House floor Tuesday opposing the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.
Her two-minute tirade included unsubstantiated claims and ended with an unexplained connection to CEOs and the California wildfires.
The bill, which prohibits biological males from participating in sports designated for women and girls in federally funded programs, passed with support from all 216 House Republicans and two Democrats. Ocasio-Cortez, along with 206 other Democrats, voted against it.
In her speech, Ocasio-Cortez accused Republicans of hypocrisy, referencing their opposition to the Violence Against Women Act and their stance on abortion rights.
"Republicans, who’ve consistently voted against protecting women and taken away their right to control their own bodies, now pretend to care about women," she declared.
She also alleged that the bill would lead to invasive examinations for young girls in sports. "This opens the door to gender and genital examinations under the guise of targeting trans girls," she said.
However, the bill contains no provisions suggesting such measures, though opponents like Ocasio-Cortez argue that its lack of enforcement mechanisms could lead to overreach.
The act defines sex based on reproductive biology and genetics at birth and seeks to ensure fairness in women’s sports. Proponents argue it upholds the principles of Title IX, while critics like Ocasio-Cortez claim it discriminates against transgender athletes.
Ocasio-Cortez has been a vocal advocate for trans inclusion in women’s sports. At the hearing, she reiterated her position: "Trans girls are girls!"
She criticized the bill as catering to "bigoted" individuals and warned it could enforce rigid gender norms. "This opens the door for questioning who is a woman based on appearance and choices, reinforcing outdated standards of femininity," she stated.
Her speech concluded with a controversial and seemingly unrelated claim: "Bigots, assaulters, and even CEOs love this bill. Los Angeles is burning, yet this is the majority’s priority."
Critics later highlighted the disconnect between the bill and her comments about California wildfires.
Ocasio-Cortez’s stance aligns with her previous support for trans rights, including co-sponsoring the Equality Act in 2019, which proposed allowing transgender athletes to compete in sports matching their gender identity. In 2023, she advocated for a Transgender Bill of Rights, urging the federal government to protect trans individuals.
The issue of transgender athletes has gained bipartisan attention, with Republicans taking the lead on legislation like the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.
While Democrats have largely opposed such measures, the debate highlights ongoing divisions over gender identity and fairness in sports.
