Three of four Mississippi representatives in the U.S. House voted in favor of a bill banning transgender athletes from competing in girls’ or women’s’ sports at federally supported schools and colleges.
H.R.734, titled the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act and cosponsored by Representatives Michael Guest (R-Miss.) and Mike Ezell (R-Miss.), passed Thursday in a party-line 219-203 vote.
“For 50 years, young women have benefited from the opportunity to compete in sports under the protections of Title IX,” Guest said. “With this legislation, we are fighting to protect the longstanding traditions of women’s sports so that future generations can enjoy the many opportunities they offer.”
Although the bill passed the Republican-controlled House, it is unlikely to make it through the Democratic-led Senate. President Joe Biden has also promised to veto the legislation if it were to make it to his desk.
Of the two other Mississippi representatives, Republican Congressman Trent Kelly voted in favor of the legislation while Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson voted against it.
