This is the largest defection of Congressional Democrats on a standalone bill targeting trans people in the modern anti-trans panic.

On Tuesday, May 19, the U.S. House passed H.R. 2616, the “Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act,” by a vote of 217-198. The bill would hand the Trump administration enormous leverage to strip federal funding from any school that “teaches or advances concepts” related to transgender people, codifying into federal law the anti-trans definitions from Trump’s executive order 14168, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism.” It would also require public schools to forcibly out transgender students to their parents before using their pronouns or chosen names. The bill is significant on its own terms for the harm it would inflict on transgender youth if it became law. But what made Tuesday’s vote especially notable was the eight Democrats who joined every Republican to pass it—the largest Democratic defection on any standalone anti-trans bill of this Congress.

  • njm1314@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    19 days ago

    The wing remains small, but it continues to push to grow its influence—and its most significant elected proponent is California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a likely 2028 presidential contender, who platformed Charlie Kirk on his podcast to declare himself “completely aligned” with the late far-right activist on banning trans athletes, vetoed multiple pro-LGBTQ+ bills in California, and on a separate podcast appearance appeared to entertain the idea that trans people shouldn’t transition before age 25.

    This is why it’s important. This isn’t an aberration. This isn’t a fringe. It’s a test balloon. This could be the future of the party unless it’s struck down with extreme hostility. The party as a whole needs to know that something like this is not something we ignore, but something we view as a red line. As a last straw. So no blame them as a whole. Let them know that anyone in the party who supports this thinking needs to be expunged.

    • zoloftt@lemmy.worldEnglish
      0·
      19 days ago

      It’s not even a test balloon. It’s already the problem. Did you miss Kamala? Did you experience Biden? We’re you old enough to vote during Hilary?

      I’m not saying this is OK, I’m saying primary the shit heads! I feel like we are in violent agreement…

      Blaming everyone IS NOT PRODUCTIVE. Instead, pick candidates that fit. Your stupid blaming does nothing but smother the ones that are progressive. Vote, protest, or do something other than create disinterest with your bad “both parties” comments.