Here’s a quick update on yesterday's post about PA SB 9, the Save Women’s Sports Act. Your Author had called Senator Judy Ward’s office to find out why her bill was referred to the House Health Committee from Education.
This afternoon, a very nice man from Senator Ward’s office returned my call. He answered “political games” when I asked why the referral. He told me that since the Democrats control the PA House, they control all House Committees, including Education and Health. “They wanted to kill this bill,” the staffer said. “So they referred it out.”
I asked him why they oppose SB 9 when all polls in the past few years indicate that 79% of voters, both Democrats and Republicans, oppose men competing in women’s sports, and SB 9 passed the Senate with bipartisan support. “I wish I knew,” he replied. “You’ll have to ask them.”
Senator Ward’s staffer explained that the minority party in any House Committee can file a discharge resolution to move a bill out of that Committee directly onto the House floor if the bill has been in Committee for a minimum of 15 days. “Their time was running out,” he told me. “So they [the Republicans on the Education Committee] were going to file a 15-day resolution, and the Democrats wanted to stop that. So they referred the bill to another Committee.”
Why Health?
“I wish I knew. The bill has nothing to do with Health. That was the [Education] Committee chairman’s [Rep Peter Schweyer, D-134] decision. You’ll have to ask him.” The staffer told me that now the “15-day clock restarts” for SB 9 in the Health Committee.
I asked him what this means for SB 9’s passage this legislative session. “[The referral] not good. But I really don’t know what will happen since the Democrats control the House.”
I told the staffer that I thank Senator Ward very much for sponsoring SB 9 and protecting women’s sports in Pennsylvania. I told him that I firmly support SB 9 and want it to pass. He said he appreciated hearing that, and if I have any additional questions I can call Senator Ward’s office.
Dear Readers, you know what to do. Contact Rep Peter Schweyer and ask him why he’s playing political games with a bill that has both bipartisan and voter support.
Today I received Representative Jill Cooper’s, R-55, newsletter. Titled “Procedure Misuse Blocks Women’s Sports Protection Bill,” it describes what Senator Ward’s staffer told me on the phone. Representative Cooper is a cosponsor of SB 9. She writes:
But nevertheless, by “re-referring” Senate Bill 9, all of the Commonwealth’s residents were denied their opportunity to see their House members take a stance on an important topic.
In the coming weeks, the 15 legislative days will pass, and supporters of Senate Bill 9 will seek a second discharge resolution. It is my hope that the majority party will cease using procedural maneuvers and allow the vote to occur. I will be certain to keep you informed.
Thank you for your support, Representative Cooper, and keeping constituents informed.
And thank you to subscriber Tracye for sharing some media coverage in the comments section of yesterday’s post! If you haven’t read it, please do.
Now, for some levity:
