The verbal tussle between Texas Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett and South Carolina Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace, which initially erupted during a heated House Oversight Committee meeting, has spilled over into the realm of social media.
The bone of contention between the two lawmakers was the House's decision to prohibit transgender athletes from participating in women's sports at federally funded institutions, a move that has been a cornerstone of the GOP's campaign strategy.
According to Newsweek, the dispute was ignited when Mace, in November, proposed a bill to prevent transgender women from using women's restrooms at the Capitol. This move was met with criticism from Crockett, who took issue with Mace's portrayal of transgender women as potential sexual predators in female locker rooms and bathrooms.
The tension between the two representatives reached a boiling point during the House Oversight and Accountability Committee meeting on Tuesday. Mace, taking umbrage at Crockett's use of the term "child" in her speech, retorted, "If you want to take it outside, we can do that." This exchange was followed by a series of social media posts, where the two continued their disagreement.
Crockett, in a post on X, referred to Mace as a "Karen," a derogatory term often used to describe entitled white women who exhibit offensive or racist behavior. She also brought up an incident where Mace claimed to have been "physically accosted" by a "pro tr*ns man" at the Capitol in December, resulting in her wearing a sling on her arm.
In response, Mace, a rape survivor, accused Crockett of being a Congress member who does not wish to "protect women and girls." She also refuted Crockett's claim of a physical confrontation, stating that she merely wanted to "take the conversation off the floor."
The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which seeks to amend Title IX to prevent schools from allowing transgender girls or women to participate in sports or activities "designated for women or girls," was passed by the House with a 218-206 vote on Tuesday.
Crockett, in a post on X, lambasted Mace, calling her an "attention-seeking loser" with fundraising goals. She also accused Mace of threatening physical violence against her during the House Oversight Committee meeting.
Mace, in her response on X, reiterated her traumatic experiences of assault and rape, and accused Crockett of belittling women and rape survivors. She also clarified her intention to have a constructive conversation off the floor, rather than a physical confrontation.
The Congressional Equality Caucus criticized the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, stating that it could lead to invasive personal questions and humiliating physical inspections for female students.
However, Florida Republican Representative Greg Steube, the bill's sponsor, defended the act, stating, "Americans are united in our belief that men have no place in women's sports, whether it's breaking records, entering locker rooms, or stealing scholarship opportunities. Denying biological truth erases fairness in sports and puts women's safety and opportunities at risk."
The act will now proceed to the Senate, where it will require a 60-vote filibuster to become law. President-elect Donald Trump, who has previously expressed support for transgender sport bans, is likely to sign the act into law following his inauguration on January 20.
The ongoing dispute between Crockett and Mace, as well as the passage of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, underscores the deep-seated divisions within the House over issues of gender identity and women's rights. These debates, while contentious, are crucial in shaping the future of American society and its approach to diversity and inclusion.
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