Republicans seek investigation into pediatric gender transition practices

In Washington, D.C., Representative Dan Crenshaw has joined fellow Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee in urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General Christi Grimm to investigate the evidence supporting gender transition procedures for children. The request aims to assess the quality and types of scientific literature used by HHS in advocating these procedures.

"We’re witnessing a dangerous trend: children being pushed into irreversible gender transition procedures. This isn’t science—it’s radical ideology," said Rep. Crenshaw. "Yet Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services continues to cave to the demands of the woke left. The Office of Inspector General must step in and hold them accountable."

Under President Biden's administration, HHS has supported gender transition treatments for minors, including puberty blockers traditionally used for precocious puberty or sex offenders. While HHS claims these practices are medically accepted, it provided only a two-page brochure when asked for scientific backing via a Freedom of Information Act request.

Contrary to HHS's stance, global medical experts increasingly advise against such procedures on minors. Several countries have restricted or banned these interventions, citing uncertainty about their effects as noted in an article from the British Journal of Medicine.

The United Kingdom's court has expressed skepticism regarding children's ability to consent to puberty blockers. Similarly, the Cass Review commissioned by NHS England criticized the lack of reliable evidence supporting clinical decisions related to early puberty suppression.

In August 2024, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons became the first major U.S. medical group to caution against surgical interventions for adolescents with gender dysphoria due to low-quality evidence on long-term efficacy.

The letter requesting investigation was signed by several Republican representatives including Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Gary Palmer (R-AL), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Randy Weber (R-TX), Troy Balderson (R-OH), August Pfluger (R-TX), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), and Kat Cammack (R-FL).