U.S. Representative Seth Moulton, a Massachusetts Democrat who voiced support for some restrictions on transgender athletes, on Tuesday slammed a bill passed by Congress that would prohibit transgender athletes from participating in women's sports as too "extreme."
Why It Matters
Congress on Tuesday voted to pass the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which would ban schools that receive federal funding from allowing transgender girls and women playing on women's sports teams, essentially keeping them from participating in sports at most institutions.
It comes as Democrats continue grappling with their approach to culture war issues after their losses in the 2024 presidential race. Although Americans are generally much more supportive of LGBTQ+ rights than they were 20 years ago, polls suggest most aren't on board with transgender girls and women participating in women's sports.
A Gallup poll from May 2023 found that 69 percent of Americans believe transgender people should play on teams that match their sex assigned at birth. The issue will likely remain a major culture war clash heading into the 2026 midterms.
What to Know
Moulton explained why he voted against the legislation in a statement released by his office, writing that he views it as an "extreme" bill that goes "too far."
"Because it fails to distinguish between children and adults and different levels of athletics, school-aged kids who simply want to play recreational sports and build camaraderie like everybody else could be targeted by the federal government. My kids play co-ed sports today just as I did when I was their age," he said.
He added that he does not want children to be "subjected to the invasive violations of personal privacy this bill allows." Critics raised concerns about whether the bill not having an enforcement mechanism would open the possibility of invasive means of enforcement such as genital examinations.
Republicans defended the bill, saying schools would only need to check a student's birth certificate to determine their gender.
Moulton also reiterated support for "reasonable restrictions on transgender athletes in competitive sports."
"There is no denying that there are biological differences that result from being born male. Ignoring this scientific fact and opposing any attempt at regulation is not only wrong, but it undermines what I believe should be a broader effort to enshrine core civil rights protections for transgender Americans," he said.
When reached by Newsweek on Tuesday, a spokesperson for Moulton pointed to his statement.
Only two Democrats—Representatives Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez, both of Texas—voted in support of the bill. All present Republicans backed the measure.
Moulton previously wrote in The New York Times that he would support some restrictions on transgender athletes in women's sports, leading to backlash from some Democrats.
"I have two little girls, I don't want them getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete, but as a Democrat I'm supposed to be afraid to say that," he wrote in an opinion piece.
What People Are Saying
Sean Ebony Coleman, founder of LGBTQ+ nonprofit Destination Tomorrow, in a statement: "This law will foster an environment where harassment and bigotry are not only accepted but also legally endorsed. The impact of such legislation is far-reaching, sending a chilling message to all marginalized groups that our policymakers will continue to embed prejudice into the fabric of our laws."
Gonzales, to The Texas Tribune: "I believe that there should be rules to keep our sports fair and that boys should not play in girls sports. Members of Congress must have the freedom to vote in a manner representative of their district. As Democrats, we should not be afraid to vote our district's values because we're afraid of Washington."
What Happens Next
The bill will go to the Senate. Republicans have a majority, but legislation must clear the 60-vote filibuster, and it's unclear whether enough Democrats would support holding a vote on the bill.
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