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EXCLUSIVE: In a notable incident on Capitol Hill, Democratic lawmakers refrained from defining what constitutes a woman, amidst President Trump’s emphasis on clear distinctions between biological sexes as he embarks on a second term.
America Rising, a Republican research organization, sought clarity from lawmakers in Washington, D.C., on the definition of a woman ahead of Women’s History Month in March. However, their inquiry met with a barrage of ambiguous responses.
Rep. Herb Conaway from New Jersey remarked, “It is a more complicated question than one might know,” when pressed for a definition of a woman.
Notably, more than 10 House Democrats opted not to answer the question at all, raising eyebrows among constituents and political observers alike.
Among the lawmakers who declined to respond were prominent names such as Reps. Jamie Raskin from Maryland, John Mannion from New York, and Eric Sorensen from Illinois. Others included Delia Ramirez, Don Beyer, Jason Crow, Derek Tran, Bobby Scott, George Whitesides, Eugene Vindman, and Andrea Salinas.
Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet from Michigan reacted with confusion, stating, “I don’t understand what you mean” when asked to define a woman.
Adding to the unfolding dialogue, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan progressive known for her outspoken views, sidestepped the question with a quip, asking, “Do you get minimum wage at least?” reflecting the tension surrounding the discussion.
During his first day in office, President Trump signed an executive order asserting that only two genders exist—male and female. The directive explicitly stated that the terms “woman” and “girls” refer to adult and juvenile human females, respectively.
In an effort to articulate his administration’s viewpoint, the executive order defined “female” as a person belonging, from conception, to the sex that produces larger reproductive cells.
The president elaborated on these points during his first joint address to Congress. Notably, he introduced Payton McNabb, a young woman who suffered a brain injury after competing against a biological male in a volleyball match. McNabb was present in the audience to symbolize Trump’s administration’s resolve to prevent biological males from competing in women’s sports.
Trump emphasized the impact of this policy by stating, “If you really want to see numbers, just take a look at what happened in women’s boxing, weightlifting, track and field, swimming or cycling, where a male recently finished a long-distance race five hours and 14 minutes ahead of a woman for a new record by five hours.” His words resonated with those advocating for the preservation of women’s categories in sports, asserting that such occurrences are detrimental to women and the nation as a whole.
The president remarked, “It’s demeaning for women, and it’s very bad for our country. We’re not going to put up with it any longer,” reinforcing his administration’s commitment to this issue.
He concluded his address with a reflection on the broader implications of these policies, stating, “What I have just described is only a small fraction of the commonsense revolution that is now, because of us, sweeping the entire world. Common sense has become a common theme, and we will never go back, never, ever going to let that happen.”
This moment in Congress highlights the growing divide between political parties regarding gender identity and definitions in the modern political landscape. As the national dialogue on gender rights and identity continues to evolve, the reluctance of lawmakers to engage directly in defining such terms may reflect broader hesitations around social issues.
Debates surrounding gender definitions and rights continue to be a prominent topic across the United States, and it remains to be seen how these conversations will shape public policy and political alignments in the future.
Despite the ambivalence displayed by several lawmakers, it is clear that dialogue on gender continues to spark intense discussions that resonate beyond the halls of Congress.
