Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is facing renewed scrutiny after two Democratic congressmen sided with Republicans on a bill preventing transgender athletes from competing in women's sports. The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which passed the House, prohibits federally funded educational institutions from allowing transgender athletes to participate in girls' and women's sports. This vote comes as a blow to Ocasio-Cortez, who vehemently opposes the legislation.

The congresswoman's impassioned speech against the bill, which included unsubstantiated claims and unfinished sentences, drew widespread mockery online, with some labeling her "the dumbest person in congress." Her Democratic colleagues Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez, both from Texas, ultimately voted in favor of the bill, joining 218 House Republicans. Ocasio-Cortez expressed concern over this bipartisan support, suggesting it doesn't bode well for her party's future.

This incident follows a challenging period for Ocasio-Cortez. Despite securing her own re-election in 2024, she witnessed fellow "Squad" members lose their seats and was unsuccessful in her bid for a prominent committee position. She has also been a frequent target of online ridicule, often for her stance on transgender inclusion in sports.

In November 2024, Ocasio-Cortez drew backlash for criticizing Green Party vice presidential candidate Butch Ware's opposition to transgender athletes in women's sports, labeling the ticket "predatory." This sparked a heated exchange with conservative influencer and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines, who accused Ocasio-Cortez of normalizing pedophilia. More recently, Ocasio-Cortez's removal of her pronouns from her social media bio also attracted attention.

While Ocasio-Cortez remains a staunch advocate for transgender inclusion in women's sports, the issue proved a vulnerability for Democrats in the 2024 elections. Many Democrats who opposed the bill on Tuesday focused their arguments on unsubstantiated claims about genital examinations and sexual predators, despite no such language being present in the bill itself. Ocasio-Cortez echoed these claims in her speech, while also proclaiming "Trans girls are girls!" on the House floor.

Ocasio-Cortez has previously co-sponsored the Equality Act, which would mandate the inclusion of transgender athletes in girls' sports teams in public schools. She also co-sponsored a resolution for a Transgender Bill of Rights. While some Democratic representatives have softened their stance on transgender inclusion in sports, they still voted against the bill.

Public opinion appears to be shifting on this issue. An exit poll conducted by Concerned Women for America found significant support among moderate voters for Trump's opposition to transgender athletes in women's sports. A separate survey by NORC at the University of Chicago revealed that a majority of respondents oppose transgender female athletes competing on women’s sports teams.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Bloomberg via Getty Images)