Congressman Onder’s Chloe Cole Act Advances Out of House Judiciary Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 20, 2026

Contact: Brooke Morgan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bob Onder (R-MO) issued the following statement after his bill, H.R. 7651, the Chloe Cole Act, which was transmitted to Congress by the Department of Justice, advanced through the House Judiciary Committee and now awaits consideration for a vote on the House floor.

The legislation strengthens legal protections for minors, ensures accountability within the medical system, and provides an avenue for individuals and families to pursue justice where harm has occurred under the guise of so-called “gender affirming care.”

"It is unacceptable that politics and woke ideology have been allowed to override sound medical judgment, leaving vulnerable children to undergo irreversible procedures without a comprehensive psychological evaluation, treatment of underlying mental health conditions, or truly informed parental consent. Children deserve medical care grounded in scientific evidence, not experimental interventions driven by biased agendas. The Chloe Cole Act would allow families to hold clinics and hospitals accountable and ensure victims have adequate time to seek justice. This legislation is urgently needed, and I am proud that the House Judiciary Committee has advanced this critical bill so we can continue fighting to protect children and hold those who harmed them accountable." — Congressman Bob Onder

“While we’ve made significant strides in raising awareness and enacting protections in recent years, the fight is far from over. Too many children remain at risk of irreversible harm from puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical procedures pushed on them before they can fully understand the consequences. The Chloe Cole Act advancing out of Judiciary Committee is a vital step in our mission to ensure that no minor in America ever endures the kind of lasting, irreparable damage I experienced. We must finish what we’ve started and safeguard the next generation from these experimental and barbaric treatments.” — Chloe Cole

“The Department of Justice has been proud to work with Rep. Bob Onder on the Chloe Cole Act. This bill takes a necessary step towards restoring justice and protecting children from harm by giving victims of so-called “gender affirming” procedures the ability to have their day in court. We hope to see Congress move this vital legislation forward.” — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche

“I applaud Rep. Onder’s leadership on guiding the Chloe Cole Act through our committee. This crucial bill will protect vulnerable children.”— House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH)

Click HERE to read statements from organizations supporting the legislation.

Chloe’s Story

This legislation is inspired by courageous young women like Chloe Cole. At just 15 years old, Chloe underwent a double mastectomy. By age 16, she deeply regretted it. In 2023, she testified before the House Judiciary Committee, describing her experience as part of “one of the biggest medical scandals in the history of the United States of America.”

Chloe is one of thousands of children who have been harmed and misled by medical practitioners who prioritize ideological beliefs over patient care. These children are left with irreversible consequences, including sterilization, permanent scarring, and lifelong emotional and physical burdens, while activists and hospitals profit from their suffering.

Chloe’s story is not isolated—it is a warning. Children deserve careful, evidence-based care grounded in sound science, not irreversible medical experimentation driven by politics.

Background Information 

The widespread use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and sex-trait altering surgeries on children presenting with gender dysphoria is not grounded in sound science or supported by high-quality, peer-reviewed research. That is why multiple European countries, including Sweden, Finland, and England, have reversed course and restricted these interventions for minors after concluding they cause more harm than good.

The physical risks are also significant and permanent. Long-term use of puberty blockers in otherwise healthy children can cause splintered bones and osteoporosis. When followed by cross-sex hormones, children can become permanently infertile and face increased risks of cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders. The evidence shows serious, lifelong harm with little demonstrated psychological benefit.

Claims that these medical interventions reduce suicidality or resolve gender dysphoria largely rest on a single, deeply flawed study that has never been successfully replicated. That study selectively excluded patients with poor outcomes, including at least one participant who died. A 2022 follow-up study of the same cohort revealed troubling results:

• 44% of females and 35% of males regretted the loss of their fertility

• 20% reported a change in their gender identity over time

These findings, paired with extensive medical research with similar findings, directly contradict the assertion that these interventions reliably improve long-term psychological well-being.

In February 2026, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Medical Association reversed their previous positions on transgender surgeries for minors, citing insufficient evidence to recommend surgeries for individuals under age 19. 

The Chloe Cole Act would:

• Protect minors from medical transgender interventions—including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, or surgical procedures—by placing full liability on clinics and hospitals;

• Establish a private right of action, allowing affected individuals and their families to pursue civil damages, including detransition medical expenses and damages for emotional distress, pain and suffering;

• Provide a lengthy statute of limitations to ensure individuals have sufficient time to seek legal recourse.

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