After alienating Democratic voters with unsubstantiated claims that protecting women and girls in sports allowed child predators to subject young girls to genital examinations, the two most-left members of the House of Representatives Prominent figures are not addressing the issue.
House Minority Leaders Hakeem Jeffries, Dn.Y., and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Dn.Y. Last week, he was among 206 Democrats who voted against a bill that would prevent transgender athletes from competing against girls and women.
Jeffries and Ocasio-Cortez pushed baseless claims of subjecting girls to genital examinations by child predators. There is no language in the bill that suggests genital examination will occur. Republicans argued that proof of birth certificate was determined by the birth certificate.
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Jeffries and Ocasio-Cortez have not responded to multiple requests for comment from Fox News Digital regarding their discussion. Then there was a backlash from Democratic voters who said they were leaving the party in response to arguments and data suggesting that the majority of Democrats are opposed to transgender inclusion in women's sports.
But Ocasio-Cortez addressed the culture war idea about transgender people being a distraction in an interview on the “Weekly Show with Jon Stewart Podcast” on Thursday.
“When we allow ourselves to be constantly distracted by these culture wars over trans people, it's new every day, and the answer is not just that we attack those people, but that we What are you doing, man? 'Ocasio-Cortez thinks it's just not even an argument, we need to stand up for those people. I think there is.”
“For example, we need to understand and see the bait for what it is, but not take the bait by just eroding those rights and letting it go by the wayside.”
How transgenderism in sports changed the 2024 election and ignited a national counterculture
Ocasio-Cortez's suggestion that the party should protect transgender people comes after she defended them last week against protecting women and girls in sports on the floor of the House of Representatives. comes after delivering a tirade to.
Her rant prompted widespread mockery, and Democrats have since spoken out about their disgust with her and the party's handling of the issue.
Distinguished Rutgers law professor Gary Francione, a lifelong Democrat and advocate for LGBTQ rights, told Fox News Digital that he left the Democratic Party in opposition to the bill.
“It was very upsetting to me because it screamed a lack of integrity, a lack of integrity,” Francione told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview. “Is this how you fight the fight? By trying to insult other people who are against you and who are against you and implying that they are child molesters and pedophiles? You? It's like they lost the game. …I don't know how they're going to come back from this.”
Francione said many of the other Democrats in his law and education network share his disdain for the party's response to the bill and will be leaving the party.
“I can confidently say of the people I know, the Democrats I've talked to, that the majority of them are very dissatisfied with all of this and feel that the party has lost its way.” said Francione. “I know a couple who said they were going (not registered).”
Voter registration data suggests the party is losing members in Francione's Pennsylvania hometown. However, there is no specific information as to why it is available. Prominent political organizer Scott Pressler announced that he has released voter registration data at X. The number of Democratic voters showed a decline of 24,867 from Jan. 14 to Jan. 21, the week following the House hearing.
Just two Democrats joined the Republican majority in voting in favor of the bill. Their decision to defect from the rest of the party and vote for the protection of women and girls in sport reflects the growing position of many voters in their party and Independents, according to recent data. I am.
A recent New York Times/Ipsos poll found that a majority of Americans, including a majority of Democrats, believe transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete in women's sports. Of the 2,128 people who voted, 79% said biological males who identify as female should not be allowed to participate in women's sports. Of the 1,025 people who identified as Democrats or dependent Democrats, 67% said transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete against women.
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The Protection for Women and Girls in Sports Act is headed to the Senate after passing the House and will need more votes by Democrats to get past the filibuster and move to President Donald Trump's desk.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview that she hopes the bill will get the necessary Democratic votes to pass the Senate.
“I would think there would be. I hope it's there,” she said.
“A lot of my friends who are Democrats will say they think Title IX is a thing. And it's inappropriate to have biological males competing against women. I want opportunities for my nieces and granddaughters. I hear about and see transgender men playing in women's and women's leagues.”
Blackburn added that he “doesn't know” what the Democrats who proposed the law were thinking when they made that argument to examine girls' genitals.
“It's very difficult to believe that protecting girls in sports can have such a negative impact,” Blackburn said. “Seeing what the bill says is the best way to oppose it, and we know that the majority of Americans support protecting girls in girls sports.”
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