The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill on Dec. 17 that would make providing gender-affirming medical care to minors a federal crime.
The measure, sponsored by Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, passed 216-211 with the support of most Republicans and three Democrats – Texas Reps. Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez, and North Carolina Rep. Don Davis.
Four Republicans voted against it: Colorado Rep. Gabe Evans, Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Utah Rep. Mike Kennedy, and New York Rep. Mike Lawler.
The legislation would amend federal law to classify certain treatments — including puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgical procedures for individuals under 18 — as punishable offenses. Providers who knowingly perform such care could face fines and up to 10 years in prison, and in some instances, parents and others who facilitate access to care could also face criminal liability.
Proponents argue that the bill protects children from making irreversible medical decisions at a young age. Greene called the measure a necessary step to “protect America’s children” from what she describes as harmful interventions and framed the effort as bipartisan despite the overwhelming split.
The House is also considering passage of a bill that would ban Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care for minors.
Delaware Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly trans member of Congress, blasted Republicans in a speech ahead of the vote. “We are two legislative days away from the Affordable Care Act tax credits expiring, when millions of people will see their health care premiums skyrocket,” McBride said. “And GOP leadership has decided to schedule two votes on anti-trans bills and precisely zero votes on extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits.”
The bill also drew swift condemnation from civil liberties and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, as well as medical professionals. The American Civil Liberties Union called the legislation “the most extreme anti-trans measure” ever passed by the House, warning it places politicians between families and healthcare decisions.
Major medical associations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, support gender-affirming care as evidence-based and medically necessary.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where its prospects appear uncertain. With Democrats broadly opposed and a 60-vote threshold to overcome a filibuster in the evenly divided chamber, many analysts and lawmakers expect the measure to stall or fail to secure the support needed to advance.