House Democrats Continue Disregard for Safety of Pennsylvania’s Female Athletes

June 17, 2026

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Barb Gleim (R-Cumberland) condemned Tuesday’s House Health Committee partisan vote to yet again re-refer House Bill 158, Senate Bill 9 and House Bill 1849 to the House Judiciary Committee. “This is nothing more than the latest attempt to avoid a public vote on protecting girls’ and women’s sports,” said Gleim.

Consideration of House Bill 1849 has now been delayed for more than three months since its introduction, Senate Bill 9 has been awaiting House action for more than a year, and House Bill 158 has been stalled in committee for more than 16 months.

“Yesterday’s actions are about delay and not policy,“ Gleim added. “Pennsylvania’s girls, parents, coaches and athletes deserve the opportunity to have their voices heard. Instead, House Democrats chose procedural gamesmanship over transparency and accountability.”

The re-referral is particularly troubling because both the House Health and Judiciary committees will have seen these bills twice, calling into question the sincerity of their previous statements.

“Female athletes should not be forced to sacrifice opportunities that countless women have fought to secure,” Gleim commented. “I will continue working to advance these bills and ensure the voices of Pennsylvania’s female athletes are not ignored.”

Representative Barb Gleim
199th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott Little
717-260-6137
slittle@pahousegop.com
RepGleim.com / Facebook.com/RepGleim