More than 200 House Democrats voted Wednesday evening against legislation that would create federal criminal penalties tied to transgender medical treatment for minors.
The measure passed 216–211, with a small number of lawmakers breaking from their party. Democrats Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, Don Davis of North Carolina, and Henry Cuellar of Texas joined Republicans in supporting the bill. Meanwhile, Republicans Mike Kennedy of Utah, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Gabe Evans of Colorado, and Mike Lawler of New York voted against it.
Despite the bill’s passage, it faced broad Democratic opposition. Forty-five House Republicans had formally backed the legislation ahead of the vote. Even with strong GOP support in the House, its future remains uncertain in the Republican-led Senate.
Debates over transgender issues—especially involving minors—have increasingly divided Democrats, sharpening tensions between moderates and progressives. In this vote, however, the bill’s sweeping language appeared to harden resistance among many Democrats.
Under the legislation, doctors who perform transgender-affirming surgeries on minors could face new federal charges punishable by up to 10 years in prison. It would also make prescribing puberty blockers a federal crime.
The bill also extends criminal exposure to parents or guardians of children under 18 if they consent to or help facilitate such treatment.
“This extreme bill puts the threat of prosecution between hundreds of thousands of families and their doctors and would put doctors behind bars for exercising their best medical judgment,” said Mike Zamore, national director of policy & government affairs at the American Civil Liberties Union. He added that the legislation would represent “a grave escalation” in efforts that, in his view, push transgender people out of public life while expanding government control over personal medical decisions.
Supporters framed the measure as a safeguard for children. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., argued in favor of the bill on the House floor Wednesday, calling the situation “obscene” and “disgusting,” and accusing Democrats of defending “grooming of children.” She also rejected the premise of gender transition for minors, saying, “No child is born in the wrong body,” and asserting there are “only two sexes, male and female.”
