House passes bill to ban child sex changes, jail doctors who perform them

On Wednesday, House Republicans passed HR 3492, the “Protect Children’s Innocence Act,” which, if signed into law, would federally criminalize performing sex change surgeries and prescribing puberty blockers to minors.

Sponsored by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), the bill would make it a federal Class C felony for health care providers to administer or perform sex-change procdures for minors, including surgeries and puberty blockers, with penalties up to 10 years in prison.

Republicans backing the bill argued children are not old enough to consent to permanent, life-altering interventions, and Congress has an obligation to protect minors and keep ideology out of pediatric medicine. According to CNN, the bill passed by a vote of 216–211, largely along party lines. Three Democrats voted in favor and four GOP House members voted against the bill.

The GOP House members that voted against the bill included Reps. Mike Kennedy of Utah, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Gabe Evans of Colorado, and Mike Lawler of New York

Despite the House's passage, the bill’s future remains uncertain. Even with a GOP-led Senate, it’s unclear whether Senate leadership will take it up, and it would likely face steep procedural and political hurdles.

The ACLU condemned the proposal as “the most extreme anti-trans legislation ever considered by Congress.” On the House floor and in media appearances, Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE), the first transgender member of Congress, criticized Republicans as being “obsessed” with trans people.

The House is also expected to vote Thursday on a separate Republican bill sponsored by Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) that would prohibit federal Medicaid funding for sex change procedures for minors.