Two Texas Democrats break party lines to support a bill limiting trans athletes in schools
Washington: So, here’s the scoop. Two Democrats from South Texas, Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar, decided to vote for a bill that restricts trans athletes in girls’ sports. They were the only ones in their party to do so.
The bill, called the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, aims to cut federal funding for schools that let trans girls compete in girls’ sports. It defines sex based on reproductive biology at birth, which is pretty controversial.
It also wants to study how allowing trans athletes affects girls’ sports. The bill is quite broad, impacting any school that supports girls’ sports programs with trans athletes, even if those programs aren’t officially organized by the school.
Now, this bill is headed to the Senate, but it’s going to be a tough sell there. They need a supermajority of 60 votes to move it forward.
Both Gonzalez and Cuellar are in tricky political spots. Their districts are mostly Latino and voted for Trump in the last election, which makes their votes even more interesting.
Gonzalez faced a tough challenge last election, with a Republican opponent spending big bucks to unseat him. Ads accused him of supporting tax-funded surgeries for minors, which he denies. He believes those ads swayed voters against him.
Both of these guys are among the more conservative Democrats in Congress. Cuellar is the last anti-abortion Democrat, and Gonzalez has been vocal about not supporting boys in girls’ sports.
After winning, Gonzalez called out his fellow Democrats for pushing pro-LGBT legislation that doesn’t sit well with his constituents. He feels they need to be clear about their stance on these issues.
When asked about supporting trans Congress member Sarah McBride using the women’s restroom, Gonzalez didn’t give a clear answer, which didn’t sit well with some LGBT activists in South Texas.
They wrote to him, stressing that it’s crucial for him to protect the rights of all constituents, including trans folks. Over 300 people signed that letter, showing strong community support.
Cuellar is also facing challenges, as he’s under federal indictment for serious charges. He denies everything and is gearing up for a trial later this year.
The bill was introduced by a Republican from Florida, with several Texas Republicans backing it. Most Democrats voted against it, except for one who voted “present.”
