Burlington Standard

Washington, D.C – On April 18, 2023, Rep. Balint delivered remarks on the House floor in opposition to the rule and against HR 734, the “Protection of Women and Girls in Schools Act.” Read her remarks below: 

“I rise in opposition to the rule, and to speak clearly and directly on HR 734, which Republicans are ironically calling the “Protecting Girls in Schools Act.” This bill is undeniably an attack on our kids. And does nothing to protect girls.Bills like this are aimed at taking away rights from LGBTQ+ Americans, often time kids. Kids and their families are being targeted and harassed for political gain. Is this the nation we want to live in?

Sports bans for kids, like this Republican bill, are cruel and unnecessary. These bills are clearly un-American at their core. They are about restricting rights. They are about barring kids, kids!, from full participation in school.The U.S. House of Representatives must not participate in this obvious fear-based hate and discrimination against trans youth.  We risk lives when we don’t stand up clearly and loudly against discrimination of all kinds. This bill would have us believe that we should be afraid of trans youth. Nothing could be further from the truth.

When I talk to these kids and their families, when I listen deeply to their experiences, what they say is: I just want to live my life. I just want friends. I just want to be myself, I don’t want to go to school and be picked on. These kids need our support, they do not need us demonizing them, and fear mongering, and bullying.

Today, Republicans blocked our amendments which would have actually supported our girls in girls.

My amendment would have strengthened protections against harassment in schools based on sex, race, color, national origin, disability, and age. It would have restored protections against harassment and ensured equal opportunities for all students. It would also require schools to take additional steps to protect students who have experienced sex-based harassment.

We cannot keep putting these kids in harm's way with hateful rhetoric that is coming directly from inside the halls of Congress. Instead, let’s do our jobs and take real steps to actually protect our children.”

Original source can be found here.