Illinois Democrats in Congress Are Still Anti-Woman

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

Would you be surprised to learn that all 14 Illinois Congressional Democrats voted against the protection of women and girls in sports?

As previously reported here, H.R. 28, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives with a 218-206 vote (with 2 Representatives not voting).

This piece of legislation would protect women and girls in their sports through one simple acknowledgment: allowing biological men in women’s sports violates Title IX, a federal civil rights law that protects against discrimination based on biological sex.

As U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson rightly commented,

“It’s biology. And biology is not bigotry, as we say. Anyone who would accuse the supporters of this legislation otherwise is ill-informed. This is to protect women and girls.”

Unfortunately, ALL 14 Illinois Democrats voted against this protection.

Illinois Democrats in Congress are still anti-woman and anti-biology.

Illinois State Representative Mary Miller gave a statement encompassing the thoughts and feelings of women and girls all across the United States:

“It sickens me knowing that confused and predatory men can take away years of hard work from our girls and enter their sports and their locker rooms.”

To put this more personally, as a soon-to-be mom, it sickens me that every Illinois Congressional Democrat voted against the protection of my daughter in her future locker room and sporting leagues.

They voted in favor of forcing my daughter to share her private spaces with biological men who are either extremely mentally unstable, predatory, or both.

Riley Gaines, ambassador for Independent Women’s Voice, Vice Chair of Athletes for America with America First Policy Institute, and former NCAA collegiate swimmer, voiced her anger and frustration over the lack of House Democrat votes save two Representatives from Texas:

“Another thing they [Democrats] said, there’s only a few girls who have been injured at the hands of a boy. It’s such a small percentage. I heard that this bill is a waste of time. And let me tell you the message I received when I heard that, is that I’m a waste of time. Girls around the country, just like me, are a waste of time.”

Thankfully, despite Illinois’ radical opposition, this piece of legislation passed.

Riley Gaines went on to say:

“Men do not belong in women’s sports. And with the House passage of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, we are one step closer as a nation to making sure that not one more male athlete is able to take a trophy, a roster spot, playing time, resources or an opportunity to compete from a woman.”

Men do not belong in women’s sports.

Men do not belong in women’s spaces.

Women deserve privacy and protection.

Illinois Democrats, it’s that simple.

Following the passage of H.R. 28 (on January 14, 2025), U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) held a news conference along with the bill’s sponsor, former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines and Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller, among others. You can watch the entire 17 minutes here: