Congressman Mike Kennedy of Utah’s 3rd District has joined as a co-lead on the Chloe Cole Act, a bill introduced by Congressman Bob Onder of Missouri’s 3rd District. The proposed legislation aims to prohibit transgender medical interventions for minors across the United States, including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical procedures.
The bill is named after Chloe Cole, who underwent gender transition surgery at age 15 and later became an advocate against such interventions for minors. According to supporters, the act seeks to address concerns about the safety and long-term effects of these medical treatments.
“As both a physician and a legislator, my primary commitment has consistently been the safety and well-being of our children. We are seeing a disturbing trend where radical ideologies have overtaken evidence-based medicine, causing irreversible and terrible damage to children,” said Congressman Kennedy. “The evidence shows that puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical procedures are extremely harmful and simply the wrong approach. I led the way in 2023 by passing landmark legislation in Utah that set the standard for states around the nation in stopping these evil practices, and the Chloe Cole Act takes that success to the national level. This is a legally durable, constitutionally sound, and clear path forward to stopping a practice that results in the mutilation of children under the guise of care.”
Congressman Onder also emphasized his reasons for supporting the bill: “As a member of Congress, a physician, a parent, and a concerned American, I am committed to safeguarding the health and well-being of our nation’s children. That is why I am proud to reintroduce the Chloe Cole Act of 2026. The importance of this legislation is non-negotiable. This is a landmark bill that will permanently end one of the most dangerous and barbaric medical practices in modern history.”
Supporters argue that recent statements from some American medical groups suggest there are ongoing debates regarding best practices for youth experiencing gender dysphoria. They claim current interventions may not always be based on conclusive evidence about long-term outcomes.
The Chloe Cole Act has received endorsements from several organizations including Heritage Action, Alliance Defending Freedom, Do No Harm, American Principles Project, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Independent Women’s Law Center, CatholicVote, Association of Christian Schools International, and American College of Pediatricians.
A copy of the bill can be found online.
