Democrats talk a big game about protecting and valuing women, but when the rubber meets the road, almost all of them voted today to let men beat up women on the playing field. 

The House of Representatives held a vote on the "Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025," and only two Democrats bucked the pressure of their party leaders and activists to lay down a marker beyond which the ideologues could not go.

Title IX : Most famous for its impact on expanding opportunities for women & girls in sports.

A man who self-proclaims that they are a woman IS NOT A WOMAN.

The fact that Democrats refuse to protect women from men competing in women's sports, is in violation of Title IX

— Don Penim (@Don_Penim) January 14, 2025

216 Republicans voted for the bill. 206 Democrats voted against it. 

One of the big questions after the election was whether Democrats could shed their ideological shackles and move back toward the center on issues such as abortion, alphabet ideology, and illegal immigration. 

We got our answer: nope, not even a little bit. The Democrats are determined to keep going down this road. 

“I rise today in defense of women.” @RepMaryMiller is calling for the protection of women & girls’ sports & spaces. pic.twitter.com/gRJCm75NRI

— Independent Women's Voice (@IWV) January 14, 2025

I simply don't believe that there is near unanimity on this issue among Democratic representatives. Poll after poll shows that the views of Democratic Party elites are way out of step with the average American and that the radical positions being taken by party leaders is hurting Democrats at the polls. There is simply no way that all 206 members who voted against the bill actually believe that men belong on the playing field with girls. It seems mathematically impossible that in a group that large, there is no diversity in either the belief itself or the willingness of Members to ignore their constituents.

This is what @AOC thinks about the over 70% of Americans who don’t want men in women’s sports or locker rooms… pic.twitter.com/A2XzAEx4Fn

— Independent Women's Voice (@IWV) January 14, 2025

You would expect, at least, that a substantial number of Democratic Congressmen would respond to their constituents' concerns on the matter. 

So...that means that both the leadership and the prominent donors to the party--the people who can bully reluctant Members into voting against their beliefs or their constituents'--are still 100% committed to alphabet ideology come hell or high water. 

BREAKING: Rep. Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton), who previously said trans athletes should not compete in women’s sports, just voted ‘NO’ on a bill that would enforce that stance.

It seems he changed course after facing criticism from progressives who threatened to primary him. pic.twitter.com/DL22zPa02H

— Bostonians Against Mayor Wu (@AntiWuCoalition) January 14, 2025

This was a significant test of whether Democrats got the message in the 2024 elections, and the verdict is a big, fat "No!" I'm not certain that this particular vote will make a huge difference in electoral prospects for many Congresscritters. Still, it is a significant signal that the Democratic Party elite is not abandoning their core ideological positions on this issue. 

STAND WITH WOMEN: “Parents DON’T want biological men in locker rooms with their daughters nor do they believe it’s fair that a man can compete with women in female athletics.” @RepGregSteube pic.twitter.com/gn0BO4Sic3

— Independent Women's Voice (@IWV) January 14, 2025

They either really believe this dangerous nonsense--most surely do--or their biggest donors are drawing a line in the sand on this issue. Donors such as the Pritzkers are rabid on the issue. Likely, a lot of important activist groups, like the teachers' unions are similarly committed, and they form an important constituency that can mobilize voting blocs. 

Both parties can find themselves in hock to constituent groups who make up relatively small fractions of the voters, but are necessary to building a winning coalition. That can cost elections, presenting a lose-lose proposition when the issue is unpopular enough to cost votes with swing voters; either abandon the issue and lose one voting bloc or stick with the voting bloc and lose swing voters. 

Abortion was such an issue for Republicans in recent elections; alphabet ideology is proving to be a similar issue for Democrats. Abortion, as an issue, seems to be losing salience slowly as the new reality sets in and states settle the issue according to the will of the voters in those states; I predict alphabet ideology still has some legs. 

Expect a filibuster in the Senate.