The House of Representatives successfully passed a bill designed to protect children nationally from transgender procedures Wednesday, a major step forward in codifying one of President Donald Trump’s campaign promises.
The bill, titled the Protect Children’s Innocence Act, passed by a 216-to-211 margin, with 207 Democrats voting against the bill. Four Republicans joined Democrats in opposition: Reps. Mike Lawler of New York, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Mike Kennedy of Utah, and Gabe Evans of Colorado.
Three Democrats, Reps. Don Davis of North Carolina, Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, and Henry Cuellar of Texas, joined 213 Republicans in support of the legislation introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.
Greene’s bill would make performing transgender surgeries or procedures on minors a felony.
Offenders would face a penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison, with fines on the table, as well.
The bill expands the definition of chemical castration and genital or bodily mutilation in the federal code to a variety of transgender chemical and surgical procedures.
It also provides exemptions for treatment of rare conditions and medical emergencies. There are no exemptions for mental health-related issues.
This means puberty blockers and cross-sex hormone treatments as well as a host of surgical procedures would be banned for use on children by federal law.
“Left-wing activists and medical institutions are targeting America’s children with dangerous drugs, disfiguring surgeries, and permanent sterilization,” Greene previously said in a statement on the bill.
“My bill stops the mutilation of kids and holds those responsible for performing or facilitating these barbaric procedures accountable,” Greene added.
The bill also prevents federal funds from being used for so-called gender-affirming care or to subsidize health insurance plans that cover such procedures. It prohibits federal employees and facilities from performing these procedures, and bars qualified health plans from providing coverage for what advocates refer to as gender-affirming care.
Debating the bill on the House floor, Democrats argued that transgender procedures on children are “life-saving.”
“I rise today in fierce opposition to Rep. Greene’s bill that would throw doctors and parents in jail for providing life-saving medical care. Even for Republicans, this is extreme.” said Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt. “Your kids’ medical care is none of their damn business. We should call this obsession with your kids and what treatment they’re getting in a pediatrician’s office what it is—it’s creepy.”
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., also argued it was outside Congress’ powers, saying, “Medical care has always been left to the states to deal with. So, this is like a bulldozer going into everybody’s house if you happen to be dealing with this particular kind of medical crisis.”
Rep. Barry Moore, R-Ala., however, put things more simply.
“How about we just don’t mutilate our children?” he said. “I think that’s a good call and this is allowing people above the age of 18 to make those decisions … These are kids that are in the second or third grade.”
Greene’s bill came to the floor after some congressional horse-trading. She was a holdout on a procedural vote to advance an annual defense spending bill and engaged in an active conversation with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., on the House floor.
On X, Greene said she had struck a deal with House leadership for her support on the National Defense Authorization Act.
“I made a deal and changed my NO vote on the rule to a Yes in exchange for a floor vote next week on my bill that is one of President [Donald] Trump’s key campaign promises and executive orders,” Greene said. “Leader Steve Scalise has promised me that my bill Protect Children’s Innocence Act, H.R. 3492, will be brought to the floor for a vote.”
The legislation is likely Greene’s last major legislative push as a member of the House. She will resign her seat on Jan. 5, 2026, in the wake of a heated dispute between her and Trump.
Jacob Adams contributed to this report.