The House of Representatives passed a bill on Wednesday night that would criminalize physicians who perform transgender surgeries and procedures on minors as a felony, despite strong opposition from over 200 House Democrats.

The bill, titled the "Protect Children’s Innocence Act," passed in a 216-211 vote, with 207 House Democrats and four moderate Republican House members voting against it. Three House Democrats voted in favor of the bill alongside Republicans.

According to the Daily Signal, the four Republican members who voted with Democrats are Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Rep. Mike Kennedy (R-Utah), and Rep. Gabe Evans (R-Colo.). The three Democratic members are Rep. Don Davis (D-N.C.), Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), and Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas).

The bill was introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch Republican from Georgia, who is set to retire from the House next month.

Greene stated on X, "Protecting children is not an option, it is our duty. Today on the House floor I stood up for America’s children who cannot speak for themselves. Children are not old enough to vote, drive, or get tattoos, and they are certainly not old enough to undergo chemical castration or have their bodies permanently mutilated."

She added, "My ‘Protect Children’s Innocence Act’ will firmly stop the exploitation of minors by radical ideologues and the greedy profit-driven industry. My bill criminalizes the so-called 'gender-affirming care' for minors and holds those who perpetrate it accountable, reflecting exactly what the American people have voted for. It’s common sense. It’s good versus evil."

The bill criminalizes transgender surgeries and procedures on minors by expanding the definition of chemical castration and bodily and genital mutilation to include various gender-affirming procedures. Violators could face up to 10 years in federal prison.

Exceptions are made for certain medical conditions and emergency medical situations, but not for mental health-related issues.

The bill also prohibits the use of federal funds for gender-affirming care or health insurance plans that cover it.

The bill still needs to be approved by the Senate.

By Sung Ku Hong, Chief Reporter, NNP USA / Special Correspondent NNP info@newsandpost.com