Party of science: Rep. Ilhan Omar denies men have weightlifting advantage over women, demands probe into ‘discriminatory’ competition

Left-wing U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar — who's been making a name for herself by peddling unsubstantiated claims about Republicans, stating falsehoods about the Covington Catholic High School students, and even wanting leniency for men accused of trying to join ISIS — is at it again.

Omar — a Minnesota Democrat — asked Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to investigate USA Powerlifting for barring a male, who's transitioning to female, from a women's competition.

"I urge you to reconsider this discriminatory, unscientific policy and follow the example of the International Olympic Committee," Omar wrote to USA Powerlifting last month, noting she's asking Ellison to conduct an investigation. "The myth that trans women have a 'direct competitive advantage' is not supported by medical science, and it continues to stoke fear and violence against one of the most at-risk communities in the world."

The competitor in question, JayCee Cooper, posted an image of Omar's letter to Instagram and thanked the newly minted congresswoman.

"No one deserves to be excluded because of who they are," Cooper wrote, adding that USA Powerlifting's "policy, and how I'm being treated. IS NOT OKAY. The time for trans inclusion is NOW."

USA Powerlifting noted in its original statement on the matter that in the case of men transitioning to women, "significant advantages are had, including but not limited to increased body and muscle mass, bone density, bone structure, and connective tissue" due to the "impact of maturation in the presence naturally occurring androgens as the level necessary for male development."

The organization also stressed that "these advantages are not eliminated by reduction of serum androgens such as testosterone yielding a potential advantage in strength sports such as powerlifting."

IOC guidelines as of 2015 require biological men who identify as transgender to block certain amounts of natural testosterone, Fox News said, but no longer require gender reassignment surgery in order to compete.

And regarding Omar's 'unscientific' claim?

A study via the National Institutes of Health, examined differences in strength and muscle fiber characteristics between men and woman found that — surprise! — "women were approximately 52% and 66% as strong as the men in the upper and lower body respectively. The men were also stronger relative to lean body mass."

What else has been happening in the world of biological men competing against women?

• In October, a transgender female cyclist placed first against biological women in a meet. Naturally, the incident sparked waves of backlash.
• In June, a transgender high school student — born a male — dominated over female competition in 100- and 200-meter dashes in a Connecticut state track and field championship.
• In 2017, a New Zealand transgender weightlifter, born a male, won two silver medals competing as a woman in the weightlifting world championship.
• Also in 2017, a Texas high school wrestler — born a female and transitioning to male — won state championships two years in a row by competing against females.