With the rapid increase in the number of minors suffering from gender dysphoria, conversations over the appropriate types of treatment have become even more prominent on the interwebs and airwaves. School districts and medical facilities have come under fire for encouraging young boys and girls to not only embrace a transgender identity, but also to undergo questionable treatments and surgeries ostensibly to change their sex. Indeed, some states have already passed legislation barring or limiting these procedures.

In September, Greene held a press conference to discuss the proposal, which is called the Protect Children’s Innocence Act. She said progressives are “destroying two genders of male and female and promoting a sexualized ideology that gender is changeable targeting children and creating a medical industry of genital mutilation.”

Greene’s bill has 34 co-sponsors, all of whom are Republicans. It would designate an individual who performs “gender-affirming” care on a child as guilty of a class C felony. Those convicted of this crime would face up to 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

“Gender-affirming” care refers to a series of treatments that a child can go through, ostensibly to help them transition to the opposite sex. Therapists and medical professionals approach a child who may be suffering from gender dysphoria as if they are transgender. In many cases, they are not exploring other possible causes of their mental illness.

Greene’s bill addresses medical and surgical treatments performed on minors. But it does not include those sociality transitioning to the opposite gender. This type of “gender-affirming” care does not involve physical alterations. Instead, the child socially transitions by choosing an opposite-sex name and dresses in opposite-sex clothing. They also choose the pronouns they would like to be called.

Naturally, the hard left was incensed at the idea. Shortly after introducing the bill in late August, she was “swatted” twice. In two separate, false 911 calls, people told law enforcement that someone was shot at her home to get officers to show up at her doorstep. This is a tactic typically employed by leftists and could lead to deadly outcomes.

I’ll be blunt: The severity of this issue warrants a federal response.

Progressives and other proponents of “gender-affirming” care for minors deceptively claim that it benefits the mental health of kids suffering from gender dysphoria. They argue that it lowers the likelihood of suicide. This is a line that is constantly peddled by high-profile leftists like podcaster Jon Stewart and late-night talk show host John Oliver.

But the reality is that the data has not conclusively shown that these treatments are beneficial over the long term. Indeed, there are some studies showing just the opposite. Indeed, Sweden performed a study over a 30-year period revealing that those who took puberty blockers or went under the knife were 19 times more likely to commit suicide later on.

The fact of the matter is that “gender-affirming” care is more likely to harm children than to help them heal. There have been many individuals who took puberty blockers or even went through surgical treatments who later regretted their decision and decided to detransition. There will likely be more in the future.

With the current makeup of Congress, it is unlikely Greene’s proposal will be passed. But hopefully, if the GOP retakes both chamber, it will have a fighting chance.