Three House Democrats voted Wednesday to protect children from transgender procedures, passing a bill that would otherwise have failed because four Republicans voted against it.
The “Protect Children’s Innocence Act” (H.R. 3492) passed 216-to-211. Without the help of the three Democrats, the bill would’ve failed, 214-213.
Two of the three Democrats voting for the “Protect Children’s Innocence Act” represent districts in Texas:
- Reps. Don Davis of North Carolina.
- Vicente Gonzalez of Texas.
- Henry Cuellar of Texas.
The four Republicans who bucked the rest of their party to oppose the measure protecting minors (under 18 years old) from being subjected to transgender procedures – such as castration, sterilization and genital mutilation – are:
- Reps. Mike Lawler of New York.
- Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania.
- Mike Kennedy of Utah.
- Gabe Evans of Colorado.
And Republican House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), who ultimately voted for the Protect Children’s Innocence Act, did not allow it to come up for a vote until after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who introduced it, agreed to vote in favor of a rule on a different, defense bill.
“Children are not old enough to vote, drive, or get a tattoo and they are certainly not old enough to be chemically castrated or permanently mutilated!!!,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who introduced the bill. In a presentation on the House floor prior to the vote, Rep. Greene displayed images and examples of the harm done to minors by the types of transgender procedures the bill would outlaw.
Minors who are not mature enough to vote, buy alcohol or get tattoos aren’t mature enough to receive such severe, life-changing and often irreversible procedures, Rep. Greene said.
In a post on her congressional website, Rep. Green explains that the Protect Children’s Innocence Act:
- Criminalizes any attempt to perform or facilitate genital or bodily mutilation or chemical castration on a minor, with up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a significant fine.
- Bans all puberty blockers and cross-sex hormone treatments for children.
- Provides no exemption for mental health disorders as justification for these procedures.
- Defines “chemical castration” and “genital or bodily mutilation” with detailed legal clarity.
- Exempts children born with certain rare genetic conditions, or who are experiencing medical emergencies as certified by a physician.
The Protect Children’s Innocence Act now faces an uphill battle in the Senate, where Republicans hold a slim 53-47 majority, but would need 60 votes to get past a Democrat filibuster and proceed to a vote to pass the bill.
Protecting children is not optional, it’s our duty.
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) December 17, 2025
Today on the House floor, I spoke for the voiceless: America’s kids.
Children are not old enough to vote, drive, or get a tattoo and they are certainly not old enough to be chemically castrated or permanently mutilated!!!… pic.twitter.com/LGR1XE1Usa
