Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) has introduced H.R.7420, known as the Stop Gender Trafficking of Minors Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives. The proposed legislation seeks to make it a federal crime to knowingly transport minors across state lines for gender transition procedures that alter sex characteristics in ways not consistent with their biological sex.
The bill also provides civil remedies for affected children and families and prohibits federal taxpayer funding from supporting or shielding such practices in states or cities that call themselves “transgender sanctuaries.”
Crenshaw explained his reasoning behind the bill: “As some states are passing laws to protect children from gender mutilation procedures and harmful gender altering practices, other states and cities are declaring themselves as ‘transgender sanctuary cities and states’ for so-called ‘gender affirming care,'” said Crenshaw. “Children should not be transported across state lines to undergo irreversible medical procedures that are abusive and harmful just to circumvent home state laws or keep parents and guardians in the dark. This bill draws a clear, defensible line: exploiting interstate loopholes to bypass state safeguards is unacceptable, and Congress has a responsibility to act.”
The legislation relies on Congress’s authority over interstate commerce, aiming to close gaps similar to those addressed by previous federal laws protecting children from exploitation.
Crenshaw pointed out that international medical guidance increasingly warns against routine use of puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgeries for minors without long-term evidence of safety or benefit. He noted concerns about rising cases of detransition among young adults who underwent such treatments as minors. According to Crenshaw, these trends support stronger federal protections against what he called experimental procedures that can result in lasting harm.
“This isn’t about politics,” Crenshaw added. “It’s about child safety and ensuring federal law keeps up with the reality of radical leftist lawmakers at the state and local level creating loopholes to harm and exploit children with life-altering gender procedures.”
Dan Crenshaw has served as the representative for Texas’s 2nd district since 2019 after replacing Ted Poe. He has consistently won reelection by significant margins over various opponents since first taking office.
