Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus
12/16/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/16/2025 15:45
Dads Say Daughters Deserve Better
Dec. 16, 2025
HARRISBURG - The "Dads Defending Daughters" group of legislators issued the following statement after majority Democrats on the House Education Committee again avoided a vote to protect women's sports.
Specifically, the committee voted to re-refer the dads' bill, House Bill 1849, along with another Fairness in Women's Sports bill, House Bill 158, to the House Judiciary Committee. The move allows the committee to skirt a discharge resolution filed by House Republicans to force a vote on the issue.
Members of the Dads Defending Daughters group include: Reps. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford), Eric Davanzo (R-Westmoreland), Joe D'Orsie (R-York), Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne) and Joe Hamm (R-Lycoming/Sullivan).
"It's disgraceful that House Democrats refuse to vote on an issue that would protect the rights of women and girl athletes to compete on a level playing field. Both bills sent to the House Judiciary Committee today deal with interscholastic sports policies, not civil or criminal issues typically handled by this committee.
"Apparently House Democrats are fine with our daughters being beaten out by biological males in sports specifically designated for women and girls. Apparently, they are OK with those same biological males changing in women's locker rooms. Apparently, they are OK with female athletes being robbed of scholarships and other competitive opportunities because they aren't being given the level playing field promised all those years ago when Title IV was adopted.
"Polls indicate 80% of people support polices that ensure fairness in women's sports. So why are Democrats so insistent on not even bringing this bill up for a vote? The legislative gymnastics have to stop. Our girls - our daughters - deserve better."
The lawmakers noted that in addition to the bills being re-referred today, the House Education Committee previously avoided voting on another Fairness in Women's Sports Bill, Senate Bill 9. After passing the Senate with bipartisan support, that bill was referred to the Education Committee and then re-referred to the Health Committee, followed by the Judiciary Committee, where it remains today.
Representative Clint Owlett
68th District
Representative Eric Davanzo
58th District
Representative Joe D'Orsie
47th District
Representative Jonathan Fritz
111th District
Representative Joe Hamm
84th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media contacts:
Owlett, D'Orsie, Fritz: Patricia Hippler, [email protected]
Davanzo: Jordan Frei, [email protected]
Hamm: Kalie Morrow, [email protected]
Specifically, the committee voted to re-refer the dads' bill, House Bill 1849, along with another Fairness in Women's Sports bill, House Bill 158, to the House Judiciary Committee. The move allows the committee to skirt a discharge resolution filed by House Republicans to force a vote on the issue.
Members of the Dads Defending Daughters group include: Reps. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford), Eric Davanzo (R-Westmoreland), Joe D'Orsie (R-York), Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne) and Joe Hamm (R-Lycoming/Sullivan).
"It's disgraceful that House Democrats refuse to vote on an issue that would protect the rights of women and girl athletes to compete on a level playing field. Both bills sent to the House Judiciary Committee today deal with interscholastic sports policies, not civil or criminal issues typically handled by this committee.
"Apparently House Democrats are fine with our daughters being beaten out by biological males in sports specifically designated for women and girls. Apparently, they are OK with those same biological males changing in women's locker rooms. Apparently, they are OK with female athletes being robbed of scholarships and other competitive opportunities because they aren't being given the level playing field promised all those years ago when Title IV was adopted.
"Polls indicate 80% of people support polices that ensure fairness in women's sports. So why are Democrats so insistent on not even bringing this bill up for a vote? The legislative gymnastics have to stop. Our girls - our daughters - deserve better."
The lawmakers noted that in addition to the bills being re-referred today, the House Education Committee previously avoided voting on another Fairness in Women's Sports Bill, Senate Bill 9. After passing the Senate with bipartisan support, that bill was referred to the Education Committee and then re-referred to the Health Committee, followed by the Judiciary Committee, where it remains today.
Representative Clint Owlett
68th District
Representative Eric Davanzo
58th District
Representative Joe D'Orsie
47th District
Representative Jonathan Fritz
111th District
Representative Joe Hamm
84th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media contacts:
Owlett, D'Orsie, Fritz: Patricia Hippler, [email protected]
Davanzo: Jordan Frei, [email protected]
Hamm: Kalie Morrow, [email protected]
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Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus published this content on December 16, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 16, 2025 at 21:46 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]