In a significant victory for child protection advocates, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 3492, the Protect Children’s Innocence Act, sponsored by Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14).
The legislation, which aims to criminalize gender-affirming medical interventions on minors, cleared the House with a narrow 216-211 vote, marking a pivotal step in safeguarding America's youth from what proponents describe as harmful and experimental treatments.
The Protect Children’s Innocence Act amends federal law to prohibit procedures such as genital or bodily mutilation, chemical castration, and related acts on individuals under 18, with penalties including fines and up to 10 years in prison for violators.
Key provisions target surgeries like mastectomies, hysterectomies, phalloplasties, and vaginoplasties intended to alter a minor's body to align with a sex different from their biological one, as well as the administration of puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones for gender transition purposes.
Exceptions are made for medically necessary interventions addressing physical health issues, such as congenital abnormalities or injuries, but explicitly exclude those based on mental, behavioral, or emotional conditions.
"This is a win for children all over America!" said Congresswoman Greene in a statement following the vote. "My Protect Children’s Innocence Act puts a stop to the radical left’s assault on kids. Children are NOT experiments. No more drugs. No more surgeries. No more permanent harm. We need to let kids grow up without manipulation from adults to make life-altering decisions."
The bill received bipartisan support, with three Democrats Reps. Henry Cuellar (TX), Don Davis (NC), and Vicente Gonzalez (TX) crossed party lines to vote in favor. However, four Republicans Reps. Dwight Evans (PA, though noted as CO in some reports), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), John Kennedy (UT, though he is a Senator; likely a reference to Rep. Mike Lawler or another clarification pending), and Mike Lawler (NY) voted against the measure.
While the legislation faces an uphill battle in the Senate, where Democratic leadership has signaled opposition, its passage in the House underscores growing concerns over the long-term effects of gender-affirming care on minors.
Critics, including medical professionals and advocacy groups, argue that such interventions can lead to irreversible physical and psychological damage, citing studies on regret rates and health complications. Supporters emphasize that the bill protects vulnerable children from ideological pressures and ensures decisions about gender identity are deferred until adulthood.
Congresswoman Greene expressed optimism about the bill's future: "I’m very happy my bill passed and it’s onto the Senate NEXT! Thank you to the 3 Democrats that voted to protect kids."