Congressman Rich McCormick Introduces the PROTECTS Act of 2025
WASHINGTON - Congressman McCormick introduced the PROTECTS Act (Protecting Resources Of Taxpayers to Eliminate Childhood Transgender Surgeries) yesterday along with 32 fellow Representatives from the US House. This legislation is largely the same as the PROTECTS Act McCormick introduced in the 118th and he looks forward to this making it all the way to Pres. Trump's desk to be signed into law.
“As a physician and father, I will never stop fighting to protect all children by ensuring these dangerous medical procedures are not funded by American taxpayers," said Congressman Rich McCormick.
The PROTECTS Act of 2025 prohibits federal funds from being used to provide gender transition procedures to minors. It does include a few practical exceptions for individuals with medically verifiable disorders. President Trump's Executive Order, that was announced last night, is very similar to McCormick's bill as it will stop federal funds from being used for such procedures. Congressman McCormick stated that, "Executive Orders serve a purpose when immediate action is useful, but it is incumbent on us in Congress to go through the legislative process and codify it into law. This executive order is similar to my PROTECTS Act, and I look forward to my bill being passed."
Congressman McCormick and his House colleagues will continue to PROTECT the next generation from these harmful procedures.
Congressman McCormick is joined by these original cosponsors. Rep. Miller (R-IL), Rep. Tenney (NY-24), Rep. Clyde (GA-9), Rep. Luna (FL-13), Rep. Franklin (FL-18), Rep. Van Duyne (TX-24), Rep. Fallon (TX-4), Rep. Collins (GA-10), Rep. Weber (TX-14), Rep. Harris (MD-01), Rep, Grothman (WI-6), Rep. Guest (MS-3), Rep. Zinke (MT-01), Rep. Babin (TX-36), Rep. Moore (WV-2), Rep. Ellzey (TX-6), Rep. Norman (SC-5), Rep. Webster (FL-11), Rep. Arrington (TX-19), Rep. Wied (WI-8), Rep. Rose (TN-6), Rep. Scott (GA-6), Rep. Hamadeh (AZ-8), Rep. Baird (IN-4), Rep. Owens (UT-4), Rep. Jackson (TX-13), Rep Finstad (MN-01), Rep McGuire (VA-5), Rep. Johnson (SD), Rep. Gosar (AZ-9.
The PROTECTS Act of 2025 is also being supported by four outside organizations, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF),Frontline Policy Action, Family Research Council, and Family Policy Alliance.
“At Frontline Policy, we stand firmly in support of this legislation. It is vital to safeguard our children and ensure taxpayer dollars are not used to fund these harmful and irreversible transgender surgeries on minors. Protecting children’s innocence and well-being and fighting for our most vulnerable should be a top priority. We commend Representative McCormick, his policy team, and fellow co-sponsors for taking a bold stand on this issue and working to prevent federal funding of such woke ideologies and radical agendas.”
“There are only two sexes–male and female–and denying this biological truth hurts real people. Children who experience discomfort with their sex need the loving embrace of family, not risky drugs and life-altering procedures that send them down a one-way path of lifetime medicalization. ADF applauds Rep. Rich McCormick for introducing the PROTECTS Act, eliminating federal funding for dangerous gender transition efforts on vulnerable kids. In no world should American taxpayers be subject to footing the bill for experimental procedures that harm children,” said ADF Senior Counsel Matt Sharp.
“Forcing so-called gender transition surgeries on minors is premeditated child abuse, plain and simple. These radical procedures cause permanent, irreparable damage that no child should endure. It’s disturbing that these dangerous experiments are being pushed on America’s youth, and it’s outrageous that federal funds are being used to support such harmful practices. The PROTECTS Act will stop this madness by ensuring Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars do not fund the cruel, life-altering mutilation of children,” said Congressman Andrew Clyde.
“Radical woke ideology has attached itself to America’s children like Velcro. The PROTECTS Act safeguards minors from dangerous, irreversible gender transition surgeries and prohibits American tax dollars from being used to finance these terrible procedures,” said Congressman Mike Collins. “I want to thank my fellow Georgian, Rep. Rich McCormick, for utilizing his medical background and reintroducing this crucial bill.”
“The radical left has preyed upon our young people by telling them that, if they are unhappy with their bodies, they need to undergo life-changing medical interventions that cause irreversible bodily harm. I am proud to join Rep. McCormick in introducing the PROTECTS Act, commonsense legislation that keeps federal taxpayer dollars from funding these despicable, experimental gender transition procedures on our sons and daughters,” said Congressman Brad Finstad.
“The PROTECTS Act is a critical step in ensuring taxpayer dollars are not used to fund harmful and experimental surgeries on minors. I stand with Rep. Rich McCormick in defending our children and ensuring federal funds are not weaponized to promote a radical agenda that harms families and erodes our values,” said Congressman Lance Gooden.
“Federal funds should never be used to provide gender transitions for children,” said Congressman Michael Guest. “I am proud to support this legislation that protects our children from woke propaganda that damages them for life.”
“The attack on children has reached its peak, and supporting laws that keep them safe is the common sense choice Americans voted for on November 5th. The PROTECTS Act prohibits federal funds from being used to provide gender transition surgeries to minors, shielding them from the permanent and avoidable damage these procedures cause. Preying on children for political purposes is reprehensible, I’m proud to support a bill that puts an end to the attempts to corrupt and harm the next generation,”said Congressman Abraham Hamadeh.
“Many of our government health care agencies are woefully underfunded. Government funds should not be used to cover transgender surgeries on minors when we have outstanding obligations to the healthcare needs of our seniors, veterans, and Native Americans. This bill is common sense, and I’m grateful for Congressman McCormick’s leadership on this issue,” said Congressman Dusty Johnson.
"Our children are being put at risk by radical gender transition ideologies that promote irreversible and experimental medical procedures at the taxpayer's expense. These mutilation treatments are not only abhorrent but also dangerously misguided," said Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna. "Rep. McCormick's PROTECTS Act will ensure we act swiftly so that no American taxpayer is financing this harmful practice."
“It’s simple, federal funds should not be used to give children sex change operations,” said Congressman John McGuire. “I’ve long believed that we must protect our children and surround them with the resources and support they need. This legislation shields children from life-altering and traumatic experiences associated with gender transition procedures and protects their mental health and development. I am proud to join Representative McCormick on this legislation to protect children.”
“The mutilation of children should be unfathomable. Unfortunately, many people living in America not only support transiting minors but also using taxpayer dollars to pay for it. I applaud and am proud to cosponsor Rep. McCormick’s bill to block federal funding for so-called medical procedures that mutilate children,” saidCongressman Andy Ogles.
“There is no excuse for misusing taxpayer dollars to fund experimental and irreversible procedures on minors, especially when these decisions are made before they reach maturity and can fully understand the profound ramifications of such a life-altering decision,” said Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne. “Far too often, we see survivors of these childhood surgeries come forward and share their regret that no one stood up for them or warned them of the dire consequences. I’m glad to join my colleagues in reintroducing this bill to protect young children from further abuse by harmful, experimental surgeries while they suffer from treatable mental disorders.”
"Not a single taxpayer dollar should go toward funding gender reassignment surgeries for children. These irreversible procedures are nothing short of mutilation of American children. I commend Rep. McCormick for introducing the PROTECTS Act, and I’m proud to co-sponsor this important legislation," said Congressman Tony Wied.
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