In a razor-thin vote that could reshape medical care for young Americans, the House just passed a bill to limit transgender treatments for minors.
On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, lawmakers voted 216-211 to approve the Protect Children’s Innocence Act, a measure targeting surgeries and hormonal therapies for those under 18, with narrow exceptions for certain medical conditions.
This legislation, backed by 45 House Republicans, sets stiff penalties—fines and up to 10 years behind bars—for doctors who provide such care to alter a child’s gender from their biological sex.
Interestingly, the vote wasn’t strictly partisan, as three Democrats—Reps. Vicente Gonzales of Texas, Don Davis of North Carolina, and Henry Cuellar of Texas crossed the aisle to support the bill.
Meanwhile, four Republicans—Reps. Mike Kennedy of Utah, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Gabe Evans of Colorado, and Mike Lawler of New York broke ranks to oppose it, showing that even conservatives aren’t fully aligned on this contentious issue.
Retiring Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a fierce advocate for the measure, celebrated the outcome with the passion of someone who sees this as a moral imperative.
“Protecting children is not optional, it’s our duty,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), framing the bill as a necessary shield against what she views as harmful decisions.
Her words cut sharply, but they reflect a belief held by many that children lack the maturity for such life-altering choices—though one wonders if the state should play parent in these deeply personal matters.
Greene, set to leave Congress on January 5, 2026, seems determined to cement her legacy with this fight, even as her time in office winds down.
On the other side, Rep. Sarah McBride of Delaware, the first openly transgender House member, stood firmly against the bill, arguing it oversteps into private healthcare choices.
“Politicians should never insert themselves into the personal health care decisions of patients, parents, and their providers — and that includes trans Americans,” said Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), highlighting the human cost of such laws.
Her point resonates with those who see this as government overreach, yet it’s hard to ignore that 26 states already have similar restrictions, suggesting a broader cultural pushback against progressive medical policies.
Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina also weighed in, defending the bill’s intent while criticizing opponents for what she sees as a dangerous agenda, though her rhetoric risks alienating those seeking common ground.
Now, with the House’s final votes of 2025 slated for Thursday, December 18, attention shifts to the Senate, where the bill faces a steep climb due to the 60-vote filibuster hurdle.
Given the Supreme Court’s June 2025 ruling upholding a Tennessee law restricting similar treatments, the legal winds may favor the bill’s supporters—but in a divided Congress, nothing is certain, and the debate over protecting youth versus personal freedom will only intensify.
